Restaurants fear they will not survive Christmas after being forced to cancel all their bookings as Essex plunges into Tier 3 restrictions.

Vast parts of Essex entered Tier 3 in the early hours of this morning in a bid to tackle the increasing coronavirus infection rate.

Under Tier 3 restrictions, bars, restaurants, pubs and cafes must close but may offer a takeaway service. Hotels must also close but can offer accommodation to key workers.

This has come as a devastating blow to all in the hospitality industry who were relying on the busy Christmas period to see them through.

Echo: On very high alert - most of Essex is now in Tier 3On very high alert - most of Essex is now in Tier 3

Sara Welton, owner of Sara’s Tea Rooms in Leigh, said she was “seething” at the Government’s decision and demands answers.

She said: “I want an answer as to why they’re targeting hospitality again when this is a very lucrative time for us.

“There are businesses that I know will go to the wall because they were relying on the money earned at Christmas which would hopefully take them through to January.

“We have done everything here to be Covid safe. I cannot see why or how they can justify shutting down hospitality again when it’s clear it’s not hospitality that’s making the cases go up.

“I am seething at the way they’ve done this. It’s so unfair.”

Bosses at the popular Seven Hotel say they will not only lose customers, but a large amount of pre-ordered food will also go to waste.

Hotel manager, Clare Bracken, said: “At this time of year it’s devastating. We’ve got a lot of bookings during December and for Christmas Day and obviously it’s all going to be cancelled.

“When we were closed, all the previous food we had went to waste. Again, we restocked everything and now we’re back in the same position.

“Not only are we losing customers, it’s the loss of food supplies and everything.”

Gjovan Pacani, owner of Leigh Bistro Restaurant, added he has only managed to survive thanks to regular customers.

He said: “It just seems like they’re targeting restaurants. I don’t understand how they think businesses are going to survive.

“I’ve survived purely because of my regulars. People come here and get takeaways to help me out and thanks to them I’m still here.”

Daniel Burzotta, owner of Il Pescatore, in Southend, admitted he had a “slow start” after lockdown and was relying on the festive period to pick up custom.

He said: “It’s going to be an absolute disaster for us. We opened on December 2 and it was a bit of a slow start but we thought we’d get at least a couple of good weeks of trading, but now we’re going to have to cancel bookings.

“This is the busiest time of the year for us normally so it’s really not good for any of us in the hospitality industry.

“I think that there’s going to be a lot of businesses that are going to be struggling and going under after Christmas as this has been the icing on top of the cake.”

Roslin Beach Hotel were fully booked over Christmas and have been left “disappointed and upset” that they must now shut.

Jacqui Dallimore, managing director said: “We are so disappointed and upset with the news that we once again have to close our doors.

“We were completely full for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day and full daily for afternoon teas throughout December. We will be offering a fantastic takeaway afternoon tea served on a four-tier stand which was so popular throughout lockdown.”