Like every other UK pubs and bars, The Bristol Arms is closed for now and faces an uncertain future.

To help face whatever lies ahead the Shotley waterfront pub has joined the Save Pub Life campaign, launched by the Budweiser Brewing Group to allow customers to support their local through the bad times – and get their drinks lined up for the grand reopening.

Regulars can buy an online gift card – from £10 – £100 – to use when it reopens and Budweiser will match that spend straight away so the pub gets double the amount, even though its closed.

Shane Rolin, landlord of the Bristol Arms, said: "You can buy a gift voucher from us, which you get to use on any food or drink you like, when we re-open.

"We will then get your money matched by Budweiser for free, and you still get the full value of what you would have spent anyway, so if you buy a £50 gift card AB Bev give us an extra £50 free.

"It is a win - win. Every little helps, and like all other independent places, we will need all the help we can get."

The Bristol Arms is the first on the peninsula to apply to be included, with the Capel Community Association, a little further away, included on the list

As well as buying vouchers, punters can nominate a peninsula pub to be included to try and help them through this Covid-19 virus crisis.

A new £1 million campaign has been launched to save British Pubs after they were forced to close due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Budweiser Brewing Group – part of the AB InBev brewing group – will match the value of the gift card up to a combined total of £1 million. The hope is this financial support will go straight into Britain's pubs, providing them with vital funds when they need it most.

Just click on the link below and search for Bristol Arms, to buy your gift card, or to nominate your local. http://savepublife.com