A POPULAR live music venue in Chester city centre has announced that it will not be reopening its doors for the rest of the year.

Alexander's Live in Rufus Court says it has been left with "no option" but to remain shut under the revised Tier 2 coronvirus regulations.

England's lockdown measures come to an end on December 2 at which point Cheshire West and Chester comes under the Tier 2 restrictions.

Under the revised regional approach, Tier 2 prohibits the sale of alcohol unless it's with a substantial meal.

Alexander's says either trying to serve meals at a vastly reduced capacity or stopping alcohol service completely is simply not viable.

It posted on Facebook this afternoon: "It is with great sadness that we have made the decision that Alexander’s will not be opening under the current tier 2 restrictions.

"We managed to run a great programme of events through the summer and into October and spent thousands of pounds to do so in as safe an environment as we could.

"We did this on a third of our usual capacity, under reduced hours and in an area surrounded by local lockdowns which made it even harder.

"The news that under tier 2 restrictions we will now not be able to serve alcohol unless with a substantial meal will either see our capacity drop to approx 25 (16% of our usual capacity), enabling us to remove our rowed seating and put tables in place.

"Or we could stop alcohol service altogether and lose 75% of our income stream. This on top of the fact there is to be no household mixing either, leaves us with no option but to cancel all upcoming shows throughout December.

"We do look forwards to 2021 and a time when we can all laugh, sing and dance together again. Until then we hope you all take care of yourselves and have a good Christmas with your loved ones."