Four bars in Rossendale have had to close their doors temporarily following a surge of new coronavirus cases across the borough.

According to figures released on Wednesday, the seven-day rate of new Covid-19 cases more than trebled in the area, from 12.6 per 100,000 people to 49 per 100,000 people after 35 new positive tests were confirmed.

Following the revelation, four bars decided to close until they can ascertain whether any staff members have the virus or not.

The establishments include Tiger Lounge in Rawtenstall, The Hut - Rossendale Street Food, Tiki Tiger in Rawtenstall, and The Green Squirrel in Haslingden.

In a statement on social media, a spokesperson for Tiger Lounge said they would be closing until Friday to enable staff to be tested and a full clean of the premise to take place.

The spokesperson said: "Whilst we investigate reports of Covid-cases in the area The Tiger Lounge has decided to close until Friday.

"This will enable our staff to be tested and a full sanitisation of the premises to take place.

"This is for your safety and ours.

"We thank you for your understanding. Love, Team Tiger."

Meanwhile, in response to the announcement by other establishments, The Hut - Rossendale Street Food also remained closed.

They reassured customers that opening for the weekend would only go ahead if staff tested negative for the coronavirus.

A spokesperson for The Hut - Rossendale Street Food posted on Facebook: "Dear Rossendale, with all the news of local bars closing for safety due to someone having covid.

"We have decided to not open, our staff have gone for tests even though we have had no symptoms or cases around us.

"This is due to ensure everybody’s safety.

"We will know by Thursday or Friday day time if we can open for the weekend when we get the all clear.

"We deep clean always and will be ready for when we know it’s safe to reopen.

"With Love, The Hut Family."

Lancashire Telegraph:

Tiki Tiger, on Bury Road, made their announcement on Facebook and said the venue would be undergoing additional sanitising before re-opening.

Their statement read: "In light of recent Covid-19 cases that have been brought to our attention, the team at Tiki have taken the following measures, so we can continue to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for both our customers and team.

"All staff have been for a Covid-19 test; the venue will be undergoing additional sanitising before opening; should we have any further updates, we will inform you via Facebook as soon as possible.

"If you have any questions, please message our Facebook page in the first instance and we will get back to you.

"Thank you for all your kind support since our reopening. Team Tiki."

While a spokesperson for The Green Squirrel in Haslingden reiterated their track and trace procedure and told their followers that someone in connection with them had contracted Covid-19 and all necessary steps were being followed.

Posting on Facebook, a spokesperson said: "Following receiving information that someone in connection with us at The Green Squirrel has contracted Covid-19 we have taken the decision to close.

"We have made all the necessary steps following advice from Environmental Health including our track and trace system.

"Our staff and customers are our number one priority and it is completely our decision to remain closed until we can guarantee our staff are clear and we have further deep cleaned the whole place as a further precaution.

"We look forward to seeing everyone soon."

Lockdown restrictions were eased in Rossendale just over a week ago, on Wednesday August 26, bringing the borough in line with the rest of the country (except those areas which are still subject to local measures).

Businesses that reopened across the country on August 15 were permitted to reopen in Rossendale and people were able to meet indoors in groups of up to two households.

It is not thought there are any plans to re-impose the tighter lockdown restrictions following the rise in new positive coronavirus cases.