Gloucestershire hospitality venues are facing a wave of cancellations following the latest news on Covid, as visitors stay away, and employers cancel office Christmas parties.

Steve Gardner-Collins, chairman of Visit Gloucestershire, said: "With uncertainty came a wave of cancellations yesterday, both rooms and food and beverage."

Visitors to Gloucestershire are reported to be pulling back on travel plans in a move that's bound to have huge implications for accommodation providers in December.

Coupled with this, many businesses decided to cancel office Christmas parties, in another huge blow to venues across the county.

Steve Gardner Collins said: "Without certainty and a plan of action, employers are taking the decision to hold back and not take the risk, which is totally understandable. What we urgently need is clarity on what people can do to enjoy the December festivities before our hospitality businesses suffer the consequence of no or little communication."

New government mandates for face mask wearing in shops and on public transport came into force today as ministers responded to news of a new omicron variant of Covid being identified in the UK.

There are currently no specific restrictions on hospitality, but the sector is bracing itself for more bad news.

Steve Gardner-Collins said: "With Christmas Party season about to begin, and the festivities of December around the corner, we are hoping that the tightening of restrictions, which is always a natural progression of these times, will not put people off coming about, even if we see the return of masks and seated dining only."

Lindsey Holland, of the TURF group, representing the hospitality sector in Cheltenham, said: " We're positive that we'll still have a great celebratory Christmas, however, we're also very aware that peoples habits are changing in light of Covid and we need to be reactive to that.

"Smaller groups versus larger, in office or at home versus at the restaurant. Yet again TURF is responding to the situation, adapting and ensuring we can keep Cheltenham's Christmas on track!"

Gardner-Collins added: "Hospitality businesses desperately need customers to spend their money to survive the January and February Blues. All of our hospitality colleagues have been busy getting ready for December, food and drink orders are in and trees are up, we want everyone out enjoying themselves during the Christmas period, but we know this will have to be in a covid secure way, the sector has plenty of experience providing great service under covid restrictions, let's hope it's a short-term, temporary requirement to protect Christmas."