The last pints could be pulled in pubs across northern England this week as furious bosses have warned that new coronavirus restrictions would wipe out their businesses which are already reeling from a national lockdown earlier this year, Reuters reported.

With cases of Covid-19 surging and hospital admissions rocketing, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled a new three-tier system of local lockdowns to curb its spread, with pubs and bars closed down in “very high” alert areas.

Liverpool and its surrounding region will be the first to be placed in the highest alert tier, meaning its drinking establishments face closure from Wednesday.

Pub managers there have reacted with disbelief and anger that their city and their businesses were being singled out.