It’s last orders - for the next four weeks...

However, that really was the case at 10pm last Wednesday night.

Les locked the doors at the Red Lion pub in Horncastle’s High Street - and won’t re-open them again until the first week in December (he hopes) because of the nationwide Covid lockdown.

While many pubs will be offering a takeaway service, the Red Lion won’t.

Instead, for the next four weeks, Les will be tackling a list of long overdue jobs drawn up by his wife Janice.

It’s two years since the couple took over the Red Lion.

Having come through the first lockdown earlier this year, they are confident they will survive the second.

Les, who is the Bar Manager, explained: “There’s never a good time to shut but everyone understands why we are doing it now.

“It’s to protect the NHS and stop the virus spreading.

“We’re lucky in that the brewery (Sam Smiths) is really supportive.

“A lot of other pubs don’t have that.

“Horncastle is a fantastic community.

“We’ll pull together and we’ll help each other get through this - and then come back stronger when we re-open again. You’ve got to be positive.”

Les confirmed that after the first lockdown ended in July, takings were running at 75% compared to last year - despite the Covid-19 restrictions.

He added: “Our regulars have been absolutely fantastic - and very loyal.

“We pride ourselves on being a community pub and I’m sure they will come back when we open again.”

Those regulars include the likes of Sarah Dobbs and Bruce Pollock who were making the most of the last chance to enjoy a ‘night out at the Lion’.

Sarah admitted: “I come in most evenings to meet my friends. I’m going to miss them.

“You can drink at home, but it’s not the same.

“I don’t know what I’ll do. We’ll just have to get through it the best we can.”

It was a similar story at the Admiral Rodney where staff were working their final shift for a month.

Around 35 staff are now on furlough - including manager Hannah Melton.

She said: “We’re saying goodbye to our last few guests and then we’ll be closing completely.

“We’re part of a large national chain so we are in a better position than a lot of other hospitality businesses.

“It (lockdown) is hard for staff morale but we’re fortunate the Government has extended the furlough scheme.

“It’s going to be difficult for everyone but we’ll be back in December and we can look forward to a busy build-up to Christmas.”

Ms Melton admitted news of a second lockdown had not come as a surprise but it still meant a lot of last minute phone calls.

She added: “We’ve been very busy but we’ve spoken to all the guests who had booked.

“Some people have booked again in December and a lot of people have re-arranged weddings and other celebrations for next year - and into 2022.

“We survived the first lockdown and came back stronger and we can do the same again.

“It is a challenge for all businesses and we’ll be counting down the days.”

It’s not just large employers who have had to draw up plans for lockdown survival.

As a market town, Horncastle’s economy relies heavily on independent shops.

Carly Scrimshaw opened Boutique Hair and Beauty in North Street earlier this year - just eight days before the first lockdown.

Now, she and her staff will have to put away their scissors and for the next month.

Carly said: “We’ve been really busy since the (lockdown) was announced on Saturday.

“We’ve been open well into the evenings, basically trying to fit in a months’ business in three days!”

Carly admits the lockdown will be a challenge but she is determined to ride it out.

She added: “Our customers are very loyal and when we opened again after the first lockdown, they all came back.

“November is not a great time to have to close because we’d be very busy.

“You just hope the lockdown will only go on for four weeks otherwise it will be really difficult.

“We can’t wait to re-open and I’m sure people will be booking well in advance. Everyone wants to look nice in the build up to Christmas.”