A PUB boss said messages of support and understanding have meant the world to her after she made the “heartbreaking” decision to close her pubs for the foreseeable future.

City pubs The Howard Arms, The Milbourne Arms and The Crown Inn battened down the hatches on Christmas Eve in a bid to reopen in the spring with future ahead of them.

It was a difficult decision for Dianne Irving, who owns the three popular establishments, but she has been comforted by messages of support which flooded in after she made the announcement on Facebook.

Many customers sent messages of good luck and said they would be showing their support in the days up to the closures and once again when the pubs can reopen.

Janine Ross said: "Heartbreaking for you all after working so hard to keep things going. I'm sure you are making the best decision after lots of soul searching. Thanks to everyone for their hard work. Stay safe all."

Guy Mathison was very sad to hear the news. "Hospitality has been extremely harshly treated when most, in particular you, have jumped through hoops to keep your business safe for staff and customers alike," he said.

Mrs Irving, 52, managing director of Drouth Limited, has said: “The last thing you want to do is shut a pub, because once you shut it it’s very difficult to get it open again. But I think these circumstances are slightly different in that people understand.

“People have been incredibly supportive. The messages we’ve got back from people of support and understanding, for me, meant the world.”

She and her pub teams have worked tirelessly over recent months to ensure they could keep the doors open and keep customers safe.

But she said tier two is "impossible" to work in, with the costs of opening outweighing any profit.

Mrs Irving said she made the decision to close until restrictions ease to protect her businesses in the coming months.

No jobs have been lost as a result of the closures and staff have been put on furlough, as the Job Retention Scheme has been extended until April 30.