WORRIES about the Omicron variant is starting to take its toll on the hospitality industry - and one pub owner in Bradford thinks a "hospitality lockdown is inevitable".

Dan Simcoe, co-owner of the White Horse Inn at Thornton, said: "It's a stress and we find ourselves in exactly the same kind of situation as last year.

"It's a changing situation and it's absolutely a worry that a lockdown is inevitable - at least for hospitality. If Omicron keeps doubling, I can't see it any other way."

"We've been busy during the day but at night time it's dead. We're holding our own at lunchtime but we've completely lost the drinking trade and evenings are non-existent.

He said because of supply problems back in September, they did not take big Christmas bookings they would usually do.

Dan said the Christmas menu they do have has intrigued people and they have been some good bookings during the day.

He said: "It's the complete the opposite on an evening as the big table bookings of 15 to 20 people are just not there.

"We normally have 1,200 customers a week, but now we're pushing 600, so business is down by 50 per cent."

Last year, when the White Horse was completely shut in the run up to Christmas, the pub offered a three-course dinner box with turkey and all the trimmings to its customers, which proved popular.

He said: "In case Boris decides to shut indoor venues, it's in the pipeline that we could offer something like that for New Year.

Although trade has been affected, another Bradford district pub, which is popular for bookings during the Christmas season, is managing considering the circumstances.

Paul Smith, supervisor at the Stansfield Arms in Apperley Bridge, said: "We've had some cancellations, but then other people have booked in.

He said the number of customers is "less than normal" compared to previous years, but he added: "We can't grumble. We've been generally ok."

"People aren't too scared. They're coming in without masks, and until we hear otherwise we're not worried at the moment."

Peter Down, pubs officer for the Bradford branch's Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), said although pubs have not been hit with onerous requirements like Covid passes they are still taking precautions.

"Covid measures aren't impacting as much as they could do, but there is the impact on general public confidence. We're going to be keeping an eye on any Government announcements on further restrictions."