A Congleton bar has vowed that "no one will stop them" from letting their customers spend quality time with their friends and family this Christmas.

Due to a recent visit from Cheshire East Council and Cheshire Police, DV8 on Little Street, Congleton, had to take their marquee down to be able to allow mixed households into their outside area.

They were told that its beer garden was not classified as being outside under the coronavirus regulations.

However, DV8's umbrellas are back up and their heaters are still lit, but they have now decided to operate their outside area for walk in's only.

On a social media post, DV8 owner Steph Chaddock, said: "No one will stop us from letting our customers spend quality time with their friends and family this Christmas.

"Due to unpredictable weather and our outside area not being as covered and cosy as before we have decided to operate our outside area for walk in's only."

The pub has been getting a lot of messages from customers asking if people could keep or re-book their original tables that they had confirmed before DV8's visit from Cheshire Police and Cheshire East officers on Friday night.

Up until Friday evening, DV8 had their outside area nearly fully booked up until Christmas Eve.

However, they now only have half the amount of tables after taking down their marquee and making sure that every table is now covered by an umbrella.

DV8 owner Steph Chaddock continued: "We feel that it would be totally unfair to honour only half of the original outside bookings that we had taken and it would be impossible for us to choose who we offered them to.

"We really hope you understand why we have had to make this decision and cannot apologise enough that we have had to change our way of operating again.

"We really are stuck between a rock and a hard place.

"Thank you so much for all of the support that we have received, we have been overwhelmed with all of your kind words."

Cheshire East and Cheshire Police officers visited a number of bars and pubs in Congleton town centre on Friday to ensure Tier 2 restrictions were being adhered to.

During their visits to the premises, the 'rule of six' and the use of marquees in outdoor areas came under particular scrutiny.

Advice was given to the owners of a number of premises, but following the visit Arriba, Crazy Moose Ski Shack and Rumba took the decision to close their doors until the current Tier 2 restrictions are eased.

Cllr Mick Warren, Cheshire East's cabinet member for communities said that as a council they wanted to make sure that all residents and employees were "protected as much as possible while this pandemic remains prevalent".

He said: "In following government guidelines, Cheshire East Council and Cheshire police are tasked with ensuring that tier two (high alert) restrictions are adhered to, in the interests of public safety and the protection of vulnerable residents, customers and staff of licensed premises during the current pandemic.

"Officers from the council's regulatory services team, together with Cheshire police, visited a number of licensed premises in Congleton on Friday as part of joint working arrangements. The aim of these visits was to ensure that the laws in respect of tier two restrictions were adhered to.

"Licensees and managers were spoken to and advised about the present restrictions and how these applied to their premises.

"Particular attention was paid to the 'rule of six' and the use of marquees in outdoor areas and limitations to their use as part of current restrictions. Some written guidance was also provided at the time of the visits to provide further clarification.

"Cheshire East is currently in tier two. This means that members of the public must not socialise in groups larger than six people outside, including a garden or a public space, unless a legal exemption applies.

"Marquees – covered or semi-covered – can be regarded as an enclosed space and you can only socialise with people within your household or support bubble when dining in a marquee.

"Members of the public are asked to ensure that they fully understand the rules around support bubbles as there are specific criteria as to how they can be formed, and this is creating undue pressure on business operators to verify.

"Pubs and bars must operate as restaurants and alcohol can only be served with a substantial meal, with table service only. Licensed premises must close by 11pm.

"It is the responsibility of licensees and managers of licensed premises to ensure that they and their customers meet all these requirements."

A Cheshire Constabulary spokesman said: "Proactive patrols of licensed premises and businesses have been taking place across Cheshire throughout the coronavirus pandemic to provide support to owners and help keep the public safe.

"Our officers' role is to support the work done by local authority licensing teams who have control over licensed premises in the area."

The government have delayed announcing an update on the current Tier restrictions until tomorrow (Thursday, 17 December).