LIMITS on social contact are keeping down spending in Powys pubs, new figures suggest, despite the reopening of the hospitality sector to more customers in recent weeks.

Banking firm Revolut analysed the data of its 8,000 customers in Powys between May 17 – when indoor hospitality resumed – and June 13. Powys punters spent 40 per cent less in pubs over this period than they did in February 2020, before the pandemic struck.

But landlords in the county have insisted that they are still seeing good numbers of visitors through their doors.

Steven Owen, head chef and manager at Bull & Heifer, in Bettws Cedewain, near Newtown, said: "We're busier than normal, busier than pre-Covid which is great. People are eager to get back out after being in lockdown for so long which is great news.

"We have a marquee outside so we can fit more people. It's definitely not quieter.

"Obviously, if it was winter time and we didn't have the seating outside, you would be limited and it would make a big difference because you wouldn't be able to fit as many people inside. Luckily it's summertime and we're OK."

And Rachel Watkin, owner of the Cann Office Hotel at Llangadfan, added: "We're flat-out busy on weekends but we're finding mid-week is really quiet. People are definitely drinking less beer but we're up on B&B and food.

"I suppose with our area with an ageing population that live locally are perhaps more wary with coming out at the moment.

"I would say our weekday turnover is definitely not as good as what it was pre-pandemic. But half-term and bank holidays we had one of the busiest we've ever had but it was more family orientated than couples."

Further south, on the Breconshire/Radnorshire border, landlords in Builth Wells are also buoyed by the way things are going.

“For us, we have been very lucky to have our beer garden at our disposal which has been fantastic for us to ensure the safety of staff and customers because we are only operating from outside only,” said White Horse landlord Rory Owen.

“We’ve tried to make the most of a bad situation by doing the beer garden up and putting up decorations to make it pleasing on the eye. Things like the Euros and good weather has helped business too. We are now looking forward to the Lions tour and are hoping we will have the same outcome that we have had for the Euros.

“I would like to thank everybody that has supported us during these challenging times.”

Down the High Street at the Fountain, co-owner Gwyn Davies is pleased with how things have been going since reopening their doors – especially with the usually thriving Builth events sector now being non-existent.

“We’ve been ticking along nicely,” said Gwyn.

“I don’t think we’re back to normal on late night trade but that could be down to the fact we attract a slightly older group who are more cautious about coming out.

“The biggest problem is the extra staff and extra Covid precautions which is probably costing 40 per cent extra.

“And for us, obviously, the event sector is basically dead in the water for now. Some businesses will not survive this winter unless they manage to make money now though and that will be a sad outcome.”

Revolut figures also show that spending in restaurants across Britain was still 51 per cent below normal in the four weeks to June 13. In Powys, it was 49 per cent below the pre-pandemic baseline.

First Minister Mark Drakeford had previously announced that June 21 could see a further easing of rules, including allowing a rule of six for meeting inside private homes and holidaying with people outside of an extended household.

The regulations will be reviewed again on July 15, but Mr Drakeford said the country’s four-week pause cannot be extended indefinitely.