Popular Sheffield bar warns coronavirus could force them to close after ‘quiet’ nights

Pour, a craft beer bar on London Road, Heeley, made the stark admission in a number of tweets as the number of UK cases rose to nearly 800.

It said: “Serious post - I'm worried about whether we can survive as a business if people are social distancing and self isolating.

“Only three confirmed cases in Sheffield so far, but the last two evenings have been particularly quiet, and the number of cases is only going to keep growing

“Maybe I'm being overly dramatic, lives are certainly more important than this business after all, but we've poured 18 months of our lives into making Pour a friendly, welcoming space for everyone, and we've got amazing regulars who seem to love it

“I'm sure someone will tell me there are measures in the budget to try to help people like us, but right now that all seems hard to believe when the government policy is still just "wash your hands"

“I know I'm not going to be the only one in this situation, so I'd ask everyone who reads this to try and support local small businesses over the next couple of days. We care if you come to see us. Pizza Hut and Wetherspoons will be fine without you.

“Anticipating responses, obviously stay at home if you're sick. And wash your hands. And dont eat yellow snow. Also bring back Firefly.”