Hospitality businesses in Lincoln say concerns over the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 have had a major impact on Christmas trade.

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It comes as a survey of businesses conducted by Visit Lincoln found more than 80% of respondents reported cancellations and reduced footfall.

Daniel Gill, from Brown's Restaurant and Pie Shop, said the area would normally be "mobbed" on Christmas Eve.

"There's hardly anyone here today," he said.

Mr Gill told BBC Look North: "We've had lots and lots of cancellations, Christmas parties and things like that, so yeah, it's another blow to the catering and hospitality industry.

"We've got a few bookings and we are trying to honour them and we are not giving up."

Russ Kelly, from the Elite on the Bail seafood restaurant, said they relied on Christmas trade to see them through January, when "there's not a lot happening".

He said the support from the government, although welcome, was "minor" in comparison to "what we have lost".

Other businesses closed early on Friday after a disappointing December, while others reported seeing a drop in footfall.