PUB bosses have unveiled cheeky window displays as they opted not to re-open under the new Covid tier rules.

The fun paintings poking fun at PM Boris Johnson and social distancing and mask rules can be spotted at The Railway Pub, in Prittlewell.

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Bosses worked with artists Chalk of the Town on the colourful window shows.

But the owners are not set to welcome back their customers as many other pubs and restaurants were given the green light to fling open their doors yesterday.

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A spokesman said: “Merry Christmas, the strangest Christmas, yet we hope you enjoy our windows this year. A little different from normal but amazing work as usual from Chalk of the Town.

“After a long hard think it is with a very heavy heart we have taken the decision not to open on December 2.

“We will be continuously monitoring the situation and pray for some change so we can enjoy some Christmas festivities with you all. Please take care of yourself and hope to see you all very soon.”

They said the business has really struggled and they plan to collect food parcels for the less fortunate.

The spokesman added: "After a terrible year for most people, losing loved ones and businesses struggling we wanted to spread some cheer. Each year we decorate our windows for all to enjoy! This year has been like no other, so why not make our windows a little different! The artist behind the art is Carrie Croud, Chalk of the Town, who we use every year for all our window displays.

“The reaction this year has been incredible. We’ve had people privately message us on Facebook, children are having a giggle on their way to school, many cars beep as they drive past! It has fulfilled what we set out to do which is to make people smile. Unfortunately due to the restrictions in tier 2 this has made it difficult for us to open.

“We are a wet led pub, but we are currently looking at menus that we could provide allowing us to potentially open. I think the government have really let pubs down, a lot of time effort and money has gone into to making them as covid safe as possible more so than others it really feels like they just don’t want us open and trading.

“However we will be using our space at some point to start collecting food donations for our packed lunches for children over the Christmas holidays! After successfully spending a week in partnership with Earls Hall Utd in the last half term providing a full packed lunch for all children who came to see us we knew we needed to do it again at Christmas."