Landmark Manchester pub says 2-metre rule to reopen 'doesn't work'

Owner of Britons Protection says city centre pub needs 70% of usual patrons to break even

Two months after the Britons Protection pub in Manchester city centre had to close its doors, the business's owner, Mark West, doesn't know when it will reopen, a source of frustration for him and his furloughed staff.

The specialist ale and whisky pub, which has been serving the city's drinkers including artists and musicians for more than 200 years, is currently haemorrhaging" money says West, who is using money from his property development business to support the pub.