An Ashby businesswoman who lost her husband to Covid-19 has criticised the town's Wetherspoon pub for displaying what she describes as 'insensitive and insulting' posters in its front window.

Bronnie Davies, of Huntington Court-based dog grooming company Wiffy Woofies, is unhappy with the messages currently on show in the Shoulder of Mutton Wetherspoon.

The pub has headlines from Wetherspoon News such as 'What they don't tell you about Covid', 'Ministers stoked fear to justify lockdowns', 'The Government is destroying the hospitality industry' and 'Many doctors and scientists believe lockdowns are counter-productive'.

But Bronnie's husband tragically died from Covid-19 a month ago and she says the posters are distressing for those who have been directly affected by the virus.

She told Ashby Nub News: "I would like to complain about the poster being displayed in the window.

"It's insulting to Ashby traders that have worked so hard to serve the community within all the restrictions and have done a sterling job.

"The poster is totally insensitive for many reasons. Total disregard for families that have lost loved ones let alone the anguish currently being endured by families that have loved ones in hospital now.

"It's totally heartbreaking dealing with Covid, their attitude is so arrogant and it adds to the anguish the families are suffering.

"The owner of the chain is not a virologist nor an epidemiologist.

"His argument is based on ageism as it's based on certain age groups. It's very simplistic . All lives matter.

"Their arrogant attitude is totally insulting to all our NHS staff from doctors to porters to kitchen staff.

"Our measures are not draconian in comparison to EU countries and China. We may be inconvenienced but when you have a choice to adhere to the restrictions and have a clear conscience that you have not caused any unnecessary deaths or not to, and then be spreading the virus.

"After losing my husband, Dennis, to Covid on the 1st Dec and not seeing him from the 18th October, and being a town trader, I find the poster truly offensive and distressing.

"They mention Sweden as country to follow. Sweden's Prime minister and King have both remarked that the fact that so many have died can't be described as anything other than a failure.

"They have had more deaths than their Scandinavian neighbours.

"These posters are despicable in so many ways, I'm totally disgusted.

"I really don't think that in the current situation these poster should be on view as they are so disrespectful to so many people."

Bronnie's daughter Beth claims the posters are ill-informed and added: "I would like to inform you of the dis-information which has been placed on Wetherspoon's windows.

"It appears the head of JD Wetherspoon (Tim Martin) is using outdated, cherry-picked information to inform the public that they should not take the Tier system correctly.

"As you have had doctors expressing how dangerous this virus can be for anyone, I thought you should be made aware of these falsehoods that are facing the wider public safety.

"In addition, Tim claims to be providing a critical account of the current government role and failure behaviour towards this pandemic.

"I am certain Tim is an individual to listen to when it comes to business.

"However, he is not a virologist nor an epidemiologist and is over-reaching his academic ability.

"Furthermore, as he does not have any experience of working in the NHS and visiting a Covid 19 ward or ICU his understanding is limited."

The posters in other Wetherspoon pubs nationwide have also received criticism.

Ashby Nub News contacted JD Wetherspoon for a response and it has supplied the following statement.

Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: " The company is fully aware of the Covid-19 situation and has taken every action to ensure that customers and staff are safe in its pubs.

"The posters in the pub window highlight a number of articles which point to differing views of the situation.

"They do not underestimate the seriousness of Covid-19.

"The articles give a different viewpoint to the way the Government has handled the situation."