HOSPITALITY bosses admit they will be waiting anxiously to see the impact of new restrictions put in place in response to a rise in coronavirus cases.

The Government is now forcing restaurants, pubs and bars to close at 10pm to address a nationwide surge in cases.

The curfew has been introduced alongside a legal requirement for venues to take customer’s contact details for the NHS Test and Trace scheme.

Despite widespread concern about the impact of the changes within the hospitality industry, venues in Braintree have been making adaptations to fit in with the new rules.

Among them is the Chophouse restaurant which has introduced an afternoon ‘happy hour’ to draw customers in earlier.

Bosses have also set up a takeaway dessert service and are opening the restaurant all-day on Saturdays.

Owner Rob Ely said: “It’s a tricky one because there isn’t a huge amount you can do about closing earlier.

“We’ve made a few changes but we’re relying on people to change their eating habits and go out a bit earlier.

“It’s the Fridays and Saturdays where closing at 10pm could be the issue.

“They’re our rush hour for business really. We make our money on those nights and a lot of people book tables between 7pm and 9pm.

“Obviously that’s not going to work so we’ll have to wait and see whether people will come earlier or just not bother at all.”

Tibor Takacs, manager at White Hart Hotel, is meanwhile calling on the public to be patient with yet another rule change in the hospitality industry.

He said: “We’re hoping the new rules won’t make a huge difference to business. Obviously all of our customers have to wear a face mask now and its a legal requirement to give details for Test and Trace.

“It shouldn’t be a big issue but some people don’t like giving over their contact details which makes things more difficult. We aren’t legally allowed to serve anyone who doesn’t give their contact information.

“But we just have to make some adjustments and hope people will get used to them. The rule of six was picked up by guests and customers pretty quickly so we’re hoping they will do the same with the new rules.

“I think we all need to be a little patient with it but we need to get used to them to make sure we avoid a lockdown and can go back to a normal life at some point.”