Shepherd Neame's chief executive says further Covid restrictions this winter for the hospitality industry "would be the last thing anybody wants".

Jonathan Neame was speaking after the Faversham firm published its financial figures for the year up to the end of June 2021.

It revealed a drop in revenues to £86.88million, compared to £118.2m the year before, while pre-tax losses stood at £16.4m.

However, it pointed out that of 296 of the previous 421 days its pubs had been forced to close due to the national and regional lockdowns.

Now fully reopened, the pub and brewery giant says the company is now once again turning a profit and expects that to continue.

Providing, of course, the Covid infection rate and booster jab take-up does not prompt the government to take steps over the winter period.

Explains the CEO: "Clearly, we sincerely wish it does not happen. It's been a terrific battle to build up momentum in the supply chain and in terms of people so I think it would be the last thing anybody wants to have further restrictions.

"I know the government's Plan B is communicated as relatively light touch, but you never quite know as the real concern we've had throughout is that hospitality seems to have singled out for different treatment compared to non-essential retails. There are mentions of Covid passports which have all kinds of difficulties, operationally, and other practical difficulties.

"The level of infection remains at a certain level and we hope it is not necessarily."

Jonathan Neame says trade in many of its rural pubs hit record levels after the first lockdown was lifted, while company coffers were further boosted by a staycation summer with strong results for its accommodation offering.

And, he believes, there is an acknowledgement again now of just how vital pubs are.

He explained: "Bizarrely, the British pub has never been held in so much affection within individual communities.

"The potential prospect of losing pubs has made people realise how valuable they are to their life, their community and their social well-being.

"Those opening weeks were extremely cold in April - but they were thrilling. You could see the emotionally charged evenings. The sense of goodwill to licensees and to fellow customers was really heartening. And I don't think that's dissipated."

He added: "We have spent the last year productively; building a better business, strengthening our brand presence and maintaining our pubs to be in optimal shape for reopening.

"We face challenges ahead, particularly with supply chain and inflationary pressures. That said, we are confident that the long term fundamental drivers for the business remain strong, including the ongoing infrastructure investment in our heartland, anticipated local population growth, changes in consumer and workplace trends, and our position at the centre of the community.

"We have a solid platform and a clear plan to build on our recovery, assisted by our strong balance sheet. For the rest of this year, we remain focused on meticulous cost control, tight cashflow management and further reducing net debt.

"We look forward to 2022 with optimism and, with every day that passes, confidence grows that we can not only recover lost ground, but recover well, unlock growth opportunities and release the full potential of the business.

"We intend to return to prior levels of investment and restore the dividend as soon as circumstances allow.”

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