A TYNEDALE restaurant owner has said Rishi Sunak's latest support package for businesses does not go far enough.

Jordan Dodwell, owner of Vercelli restaurant in Hexham, said while they are still receiving bookings for smaller groups, they have received many cancellations from large parties with fears amid concerns over the high transmission of Omicron.

"That's where it has really hit us," said Jordan, who also owns the Greenhead Hotel.

On Wednesday (December 21), the Chancellor offered a £1 billion support package to businesses hit by Covid restrictions, including one-off grants of up to £6,000 per premises for businesses in affected sectors in England.

The Government also intends to use taxpayers' cash to cover the cost of statutory sick pay for Covid-related absences for firms with fewer than 250 employees.

"The Government have been very good in general through the whole pandemic but it's not really going to do much," said Jordan.

"It's difficult to say what I think is the best thing because I'm not a politician and I don't know what's right for every business.

"It needs to go one way or the other, they need to support us financially and leave us open with the few people coming through the door, or it needs to be shut down and they bring in furlough.

"It can't continue like this. December is the month where we make enough profit to get through to the Spring."