A peninsula publican has issued a stark warning about the future of pubs ahead of Super Saturday's widespread reopening.

Clare Ling, who runs the Compasses in Holbrook has called on all communities to use their local or lose them.

"The amount of sites, be that pubs restaurants whatever that have had to close because they can't come back from this is very scary," warned general manager Clare.

"Let's be honest, it is a case of use us or lose us. Not just the Compasses but all the pubs on the peninsula. We would ask everyone on the peninsula to go to their pub.

The plea has particular resonance in Holbrook as the Compasses suffered huge losses enough before the coronavirus lockdown, and the future of the village's other pub the Swan is in serious doubt.

"If we don't get the support of people here Holbrook will lose this pub, and there could then be nothing and that would be heartbreaking.

"We are doing everything we possibly can to ensure this pub survives and the village has its pub. I love the Compasses and I love the people in this village but we need their support.

"Never mind the actual cost, there are the sweat and tears that we have shed getting this pub to still be alive."

Road closures due to Anglian Water works led to the pub struggling to meet its £1,600 a week outlay (before staff wages), and that compounded problems for the Compasses as Clare and her team were looking to rebuild the business following a drop in trade during the previous ownership.

"When the road was closed along here, then we were effectively closed too," said Clare.

"That was before Covid-19 and of course now. It has been very, very hard. It has cost us around £2,000 a week but we keep fighting and trying."

Clare is determined to woo back customers and has reached out to those who have not used the pub for some time, due to reasons outside her control.

"We struggled before with a a lack of support for historic reasons, and the road didn't help, but we have worked really hard, with our award-winning beer, good food and a friendly, clean pub," said Clare.

"If you have not been in for a while, please come in now. I have been here three years and have made a lot of friends. The feedback I get is good, if there is an issue tell me and I will fix it."

Like all pubs the Compasses has struggled during lockdown and used the time to make more improvements so they can open safely at 12noon on Saturday.

Clare added: "We have not taken any money so the financial side has been a real burden

"We have tried to utilise the time to make improvements and get the pub to the standard it needs to be.

"We have updated the pub, upgraded the gardena nd made changes to make us even better.

" This will keep us within the coronavirus guidelines and keep every customer and member rf staff safe.

"We got the grants but they soon disappeared Punch still want their rent, the utilities need paying and everything else has had to be paid for.

"The big boys can cover the cost of changes for coronavirus, for us smaller pubs it is not so easy."

Although the Compasses wants plenty of customers to support them, it would not be able to cope with everyone arriving at once. They will be open Sunday and Monday as well and ask people to be understanding

"People ned to be patient," said Clare. "Please come back but it will need to be staggered. If you would like an inside table you will need to book on 328332. Outside will be dependent on how many people are already here, so it will be first come first served, and there will be a queuing system.

"Please be realistic, if you have any symptoms do not come to the pub. You are putting a lot of people at risk just because you want a pint. We will still be here in two weeks time after you have isolated.

"If we all, as a community, stick to the guidelines, then the pubs will stay open and longer term continue to use us or lose us."

See updates on If, when and how, your local will open, here.