Owners of a Ceredigion pub that overcame the odds to reopen after disaster struck nearly three years ago have warned new restrictions – that will see pubs banned from selling alcohol and forced to shut at 6pm – could “break” independent bar owners.

Caitlin Morse and partner Lewis Johnston reopened a rebuilt and refurbished Y Ffarmers in Llanfihangel y Creuddyn in May 2019, 15 months after the building was ravaged by a major fire.

Now, having survived two lockdowns, Caitlin said she was “absolutely devastated” at the latest Welsh Government plans.

Along with other pub owners in the county, Caitlin has been left in “shock” and is “angry” after First Minister Mark Drakeford announced on Monday that, from Friday, 4 December, pubs, bars, restaurants and cafés will have to close by 6pm, and they will not be allowed to serve alcohol at all.

After 6pm they will only be able to provide takeaway food services.

Caitlin told the Cambrian News that the losses will run into the thousands for pubs forced to adhere to the new restrictions, with advanced Christmas bookings and the annual festive trade lost.

“We are absolutely devastated,” she said.

“We spent such a lot of money making everything as safe as it could be to follow all the guidelines, then these restrictions are added on top.

“We have come through a lot and we will survive, but it is very upsetting.”

Caitlin said Y Ffarmers will continue and sell takeaway food, but the future of the other pub they own – the Druid Inn in Goginan – is not so certain.

“The Druid is known for its beer so it will be difficult; if we can’t sell alcohol there, we are not sure whether to keep it open,” Caitlin said.

“We are very determined to try to get through it, and have been working really hard, but there are only so many times things like this can happen before it will break us.”

As well as new pub restrictions, cinemas, museums, art galleries, amusement arcades and other indoor entertainment venues will also have to close their doors as part of the Welsh Government’s plans to fight rising coronavirus cases.

Mr Drakeford said the new measures will be brought in after data models suggested that Wales faces up to 1,700 excess deaths this winter if nothing more is done to tackle the Covid­-19 pandemic.

“Unfortunately, the virus is moving incredibly quickly across Wales and is eroding the gains we made during the firebreak period,” Mr Drakeford said.

“We now need to take further steps together as a nation to protect people’s health and slow the spread of coronavirus.”

The Welsh Government said it is making a further £340m available to support businesses affected, including a specific fund to support hospitality and tourism businesses.