PUB landlords and restaurant owners in Swindon are braced for the worst after the government brought in a raft of new measures to combat the spread of coronavirus.

At the first of its daily press conferences, prime minister Boris Johnson advised people against all non-essential contact.

He also said people should avoid pubs, restaurants, clubs and no mass gathering should be held and echoed the warning heard at the weekend of further draconian rules for the over 70s and the vulnerable, which could see them being asked to self-isolate for months.

And yesterday Honda confirmed it had been approached by the government about manufacturing ventilators.

Business owners across Swindon are worried about the future of their pubs and restaurants.

Sharon Johnson is the manager of The Goldfinger Tavern in Highworth. She said: “I’m very concerned for my business. It’s not just me it will be everybody who will be affected.

“We will carry on as usual at the moment but we’re taking extra precautions with hygiene.”

Swindon's Southbrook Inn’s landlord Alan Rossiter is carrying on as usual.

He said: “At the moment trading is okay but we’re ready for the slump. There will be people who carry on coming in but there will also be others who stay away.

“Until the government say we can’t open then we will keep our doors open.”

Wroughton pub The Check Inn opened at the start of this year. Owner Andrew Waters is worried for its future.

He told the Adver: “It’s a bit worrying we have just opened so if the pub is to shut it will be a serious thing but what can you do? It’s going to damage quite a lot of businesses at the end of the day.”

Restaurants are set to be affected.

Vince Eelure is the manager of the Fratello’s in Victoria Road.

He said: “It’s not a shock this is happening but what kind of support are businesses going to get because we still have rent and employees to pay? People are already cancelling their booking, a table of 12 cancelled for tonight.

“We’re working with Deliveroo and Just Eat to keep on top of hygiene.”

The threat of coronavirus has begun to be felt around the town with a number of shops at the Swindon Designer Outlet closing their doors.

Nike, Vans, Converse, Timberland, New Balance and Bose all had signs in the window and the shutters down yesterday.

The closures come on the same day as a man in his 50s became the first coronavirus-related death in Wiltshire. He had underlying health issues and was treated at Salisbury Hospital.

Around Swindon, more events were cancelled or postponed in light of the virus.

The Swindon Jazz and Soul Festival, due to take place April 4, has been postponed until July 18.

A statement from the festival said: “We have been closely monitoring the situation with Covid-19.

“NHS and government guidance is adapting by the day and we feel that the most socially responsible option is to postpone the event.

“The festival will now take place on Saturday, July 18, 2020. Bearing in mind the worldwide uncertainty at this time. We would much rather put plans in place for us all than cancel the April event at the last minute.

“Thank you to all of you who have bough tickets. All tickets will be valid for the new date but if for any reason you cannot attend then a refund will be given by contacting the venue and sending in your wristband. We look forward to seeing you all in July.”

Students from New College Swindon will return to the classroom after their trip to Spain, unless they show symptoms of the coronavirus.

A concerned parent contacted the Adver worried that the students and staff will be allowed back to the college but a spokeswoman for the establishment said it would be following Public Health England’s guidelines.

They said: “A group of New College students departed for a trip to Malaga, Spain last Thursday morning before school trips abroad were suspended.

“The college has been in regular contact with the groups over the weekend, the students are due back in the UK this afternoon and we have confirmed that the flight is still scheduled.

“We will be asking the students to follow Public Health England guidelines on their return and self-isolate for seven days if they are showing any symptoms of high temperature of persistent cough.”

Swindon Music Festival organisers have cancelled this year’s event.

It was supposed to have started this Friday until March 28 but after the executive committee had a meeting yesterday morning they decided it should be cancelled.

A spokeswoman for the festival said: “As the impact of the coronavirus outbreak continues to develop across the UK it is our responsibility to keep everybody safe including competitors, adjudicators, accompanists, volunteers and audience members. We appreciate that this will be a disappointment but hope you fully understand.”

The Wyvern is continuing to host performances, although it was due to review this today. The venue is encouraging visitors to follow NHS advice. A spokeswoman added: “The health and safety of visitors to our venues is our number one priority.

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