PUBS have had to adapt during the last year.

The year has seen lockdown restrictions change month by month, telling them when and how they can trade.

Last summer, after the first full lockdown, pubs like the Burntwood in Drury and the Fat Boar in Wrexham created outdoor seating areas where customers could visit safely.

They were briefly allowed to let customers back inside - with strict hygiene and distancing in place - but then had to close again during their busiest period in December.

Some pubs with kitchens, such as The Swan in Higher Kinnerton and The Red Lion in Penyffordd, have kept their businesses going by providing food delivery either via their own social media of food delivery apps like Just Eat.

Landlords have said it has been a struggle, both from loss of income when they are unable to trade and feeling the pressure of having to educate people on restrictions when they have been able to open.

Andrew Griffiths, landlord of the Burntwood in Drury,

Andrew Griffiths, landlord of the Burntwood in Drury,

During the end of the fire-break lockdown in Wales, landlord of the Burtwood Andrew Griffiths said: "It is a lot of pressure on pubs to accept the responsibility of other people's actions. We are doing the best that we can do. The majority of people just want to come in and be with their friends. On a normal day I can't fault them, but under these new rules I can. We had a lot of young people coming in on Monday and they need to understand the rules.

"We are being judged heavily. It just takes two seconds for a police officer or a licensing officer to come in and make a decision. There are a lot of businesses that are worried, we are expected to hold people's hands and make sure they follow the rules. It's a lot of responsibility."

Site manager at the Red Lion in Penyffordd Steve Saxon said those pubs that were surviving were being supported by the community.

And the Team Red volunteers at The Red Lion have shown that support is a two-way street by going the extra mile for villagers.

Whether it was giving free meals to NHS workers, care packages to those unable to leave their homes, or organising socially-distanced events like Easter egg hunts in the village, the Red Lion has been there in these most challenging times.

He added: "It started off as just things for the local volunteers to get involved with and to give the people of Penyffordd something to do during lockdown, and it stemmed from there and got bigger and bigger. We've raised tens of thousands of pounds now through the Team Red volunteers; we've helped to get care packs to people that are isolating and done shopping for people that need it."

Steve added: "The pub has continued to keep trading in some capacity over the last 12 months, we've never had a period where we've shut down completely. The demand is there, and massive credit to the local community. I've aways said this, there is no community like Penyffordd, they just come out and they help each other. It's an amazing place to live.

"It's not just the pandemic that has brought this out in us, it's always been the same."

And the Red Lion team is looking forward to welcoming people back when restrictions are eased.

Steve added: "We are desperate to reopen the pub. We want the place open, we have an amazing outdoor space here that has won awards.We are set up and ready to go. Any form of normality would be appreciated. We are gearing up for a summer opening and hopefully that will be the last time we will have to reopen."