MULTIPLE pubs, including two in Malmesbury are scheduled to close today as coronavirus restrictions escalate.

Butcombe Pubs and Inns announced they will temporarily close a number of the pubs they manage in order to protect the business and safeguard employee's jobs.

Popular Malmesbury pubs The Horse and Groom and The Smoking Dog are two of the affected locations.

Jonathan Lawson, CEO of the Liberation Group said: “We have made this incredibly difficult decision in order to consolidate our efforts, protect the business and save as many jobs as possible.

"Our team members are the lifeblood of our business and the responsible thing to do is to make sure we weather this storm and have opportunities and jobs for them to return to once this is all over.

“Our hope is to re-open these sites as soon as possible so we’ll be keeping a very close eye on developments and heeding advice when it’s given.

Other named pubs which will close today are: The Bell, Bristol; Broad Street Townhouse, Bath; The Frog & Fiddle, Cheltenham and The Pelican Inn, Bristol.