YESTERDAY the Welsh Government announced that hopsitality venues will have to shut at 6pm and are not allowed to serve alcohol.

Nub News spoke to Cowbridge venues to hear how they feel about the restrictions.

The Bear Hotel

"To some we may be just a place to get food or a bed to sleep, however we like to think we are far more than that," read a post on The Bear's Facebook page.

"We are all about people, creating and hosting special occasions, happy memories and shared experiences that will last a lifetime; we are hubs of social interaction for our community and despite this latest hammer blow of covid restrictions, we still feel we have a part to play.

"It definitely isn't the Christmas we all want, but we will try our damnest to remain open so that we can play host for all of your social interactions as we know how important that is to you, your family and your friends.

"The direct impact COVID has had on our life and health has been truly devastating; the other consequences around isolation and loneliness have been less well documented or highlighted but each is very real.

"We recognise this, and hope you can have some sense of normality by visiting us to catch up with friends and family.

"We have invested significantly into making your experience with us as safe and as compliant as it can be. We've done this simply because we care about you and your health.

"As painful as the first lockdown was, one of the shining lights was the heightened sense of community. We hope that everyone continues to recognise that with over 200 staff within Town & Country Collective, our wider family on the high street and our supplier community, we are reliant on your support.

"Without this support, things may not look so bright. We really don't want to live in an environment populated solely by supermarkets and multinational chain eateries, and our only way of thwarting that very real threat is by everyone supporting the independent traders that have stuck with you through thick and thin.

"Our high street has invested into making the shopping experience as safe as possible, please repay them.

"It's thought that every £5 spent in a local store actually accounts for £25 in the local area - the greengrocer spends his £5 with the butcher, the butcher spends his with the baker, the baker spends theirs at the pub, the pub spends theirs with the florist and the wheel goes around and around.

"That wheel will grind to a halt unless we all support it."

Until Thursday, The Bear will be open from 12pm-10pm, serving alcohol including mulled wine.

After that day, the pub opening hours will be 10am-6pm, and festive lunch menues, afternoon tea and Sunday lunch are on offer, accompanied by 'Nosecco'.

Residents of the hotel will still be able to dine until 10pm and order alcohol as part of a room service order.

The Penny Farthing

Manager of The Penny Farthing , Mohammed El'Kilany told Nub News the restrictions will have the biggest impact on the popular Gourmet Nights.

"The last one was amazing and almost everyone that night had a wine pairing, so it was good revenue," said Mo.

"We did two gourmet nights in November, which has an incredible atmosphere. Then there was going to be one on 11 December and 18 December.

"They were fully booked, so I had just added 19 December, which was already half booked when the announcement came.

"It's a shame. I keep saying we'll follow whatever they say, but it's hard.

"Luckily I hadn't ordered lots of wine because I thought something like this could happen."

The Penny Farthing is now serving festive afternoon tea from 2pm, and offering takeaway quiche and pavlova.

The quiche flavours are salmon and broccoli, brie and cranberry, and bacon and mushroom.

The pavlovas come in toffee and pecan, strawberry and raspberry, and hazelnut.

Telephone or email the restaurant to place an order. The last pick-up is by 3pm on Christmas Eve.

Rocket & Rye

Rocket & Rye was set to open on Cowbridge High Street on 8 December , but owners Ceri and John Cook announced they have postponed the date.

"After today's announcement we have decided as a family to not open R&R as planned just yet," they wrote on social media.

"We are committed to keeping our staff and customers safe and will continue to work behind the scenes until it is safe to open.

"Our heart goes out to everyone affected."

John later went on to say he hopes the financial package allows hospitality businesses owners "to bunker down and hibernate".

"This is mentally exhausting," he wrote on Twitter.

"Let's hope this is the last one and we can all look to a brighter 2021.

"Feeling a bit deflated but just know we will come back better than ever.

"Rocket & Rye will be amazing, we've put so much time, effort and resources into it we won't be giving up now."

Bar 44

The Forty Four Group , which operates Bar 44 on the high street and several other tapas bars in South Wales has issued a statement saying the new restrictions have forced cease operations:

"It's with a heavy heart that we have to shut all our Welsh-based sites this Friday at 6pm. We are not sure when we will be allowed to reopen again "

"Ultimately it comes down to an economic decision to try to safeguard the future of our company, our immense team, our families.

"We haven't put 20 years of blood sweat and tears into this to let it go now. We have much more to do with goals and aspirations undampened. We need to be here on the other side."

"The only correct option for us is to go back into hibernation."

Bar 44, which has been a high street favourite since 2002, has not reopened after the first lockdown.

The Yard

Paul Langford, owner of The Yard , thinks he will have to shut from Sunday to Thursday, and only open on Friday and Saturday.

"I need to talk to the team first but I am gutted. For myself, family and our brilliant team," said Paul.