A LANDLORD from Chirk has described Christmas as "a disaster" as publicans in Wales prepare to see their punters pour into England for celebrations free of restrictions.

Pub landlords across Wales and Scotland look set to have their New Year’s Eve profits “killed” as punters plan to avoid coronavirus restrictions imposed by First Ministers Mark Drakeford and Nicola Sturgeon amid the spread of the Omicron variant.

Chelly Jones, who runs the Stanton House Inn in Chirk, with her husband, said she has cancelled the live entertainment they had planned for New Year’s Eve because of the new rules.

Mrs Jones, whose pub is less than half a mile from the Wales/England border, told the PA news agency: “Christmas has been a disaster, we’ve never had a year like it.

“The week before Christmas, the new restrictions in Wales killed our profits. They kept us open, but shut us really. We’re a family-run pub so it’s very difficult at the moment.”

“It’s most definitely because of the different restrictions in England than in Wales,” she added.

“There’s a pub just across from us who are able to do whatever they want on New Year’s Eve. If people want to go party they only have to walk a mile up the road.”

Mrs Jones said people in Wales feel they are “fighting a losing battle” because punters crossing the border for celebrations could return with coronavirus, negating the efforts of people following restrictions.

Nightclubs in Wales and in Scotland are currently not allowed to open, and the rule of six is in place for pubs and restaurants in Wales.

Meanwhile, pubs in England are preparing for a potential flood of customers.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged revellers to take a coronavirus test ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Mr Johnson encouraged punters to enjoy the night in a “cautious and sensible way” by ordering a test and booking a booster jab.

But pharmacies have warned of “huge” problems with lateral flow deliveries and PCRs are not available to order online for most of the UK.

While visiting a vaccination clinic in Milton Keynes on Wednesday, Mr Johnson told reporters: “I think everybody should enjoy New Year but in a cautious and sensible way.

“Take a test, ventilation, think about others – but, above all, get a booster.”