A POPULAR MUSIC venue has closed its doors after staff were told to self-isolate amid rising rates of Covid-19.

In a statement the boss of The Brunswick in Holland Road, Hove, said the pub was “simply unable to open” after finding itself “at the mercy of having a small team of staff”.

While the announcement did not confirm how many staff members had been contacted by track and trace, or had tested positive for coronavirus, it referred to the rising rates in the city and the spread of the Delta variant first seen in India.

Writing on Facebook, general manager Andy Hillion said: “As our loyal customers and followers will know, we at The Brunswick have been respectful of Covid rules and guidelines, despite being knocked back by the pandemic several times over now.

“The safety of our staff and customers has been our first though in everything that we have done over the last 15 months, and we’ve developed a reputation as a safe place during these difficult times.

“It is therefore with a heavy heart that we must close our doors for a few days once more.

“Due to the Delta variant tearing it’s way through the 20-something age group in the last couple of weeks, we find ourselves at the mercy of having a small team of staff.

“As we are sticking to self-isolation guidelines, we simply are unable to open our doors for the next few days.”

He apologised to performers who were due to perform at the venue and to anybody who had been hoping to watch the Euros at the pub.

It is hoped the venue will reopen on Wednesday, July 7.

The statement also said that the venue will undergo a “full Covid-safe fogging” before reopening and that staff will be asked to take daily lateral flow tests before starting work.

Earlier this week, Rockwater on Hove seafront was forced to close after large number of staff tested positive for coronavirus or were told to self-isolate.

Owner Luke Davies said about ten workers over the past week have tested positive and roughly 40 have been contacted by track and trace.

While popular football pub Ye Olde King and Queen in Marlborugh Place, Brighton also remains closed after members of staff tested positive for Covid-19.