A SUPERMODEL turned landlord says it is "do or die" as she prepares to open her Sussex pub for the first time since March.

But Jodie Kidd said it would be a "serious issue" for the Half Moon in Kirdford, near Billingshurst, if the county was placed into Tier 2 or 3 of the government's coronavirus alert system.

In Tier 2, hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals, and in Tier 3 they must shut or only offer takeaway services - under the government's updated and "tougher" tiered restrictions.

The Argus: Jodie Kidd co-owns the Half Moon pub in Kirdford, near BillingshurstJodie Kidd co-owns the Half Moon pub in Kirdford, near Billingshurst

The Half Moon pub has remained closed to customers throughout the coronavirus pandemic, offering takeaway services at times.

Appearing on Good Morning Britain yesterday, the 42-year-old said: "It's been an unbelievably tough year.

"Before we went into the pandemic we were losing three pubs a day, that's more than 1,000 a year.

"I dread to think how many have closed their doors for good since the pandemic began.

"We have been closed since March and I'm delighted to say that, literally in the last 24 hours, since Boris (Johnson) announced the lockdown was going to end on December 2, we are going to open on the fourth for the first time, because we have to.

"We were lucky enough to get grants, the grants kept the pub going. But they have run out now.

"So it's literally do or die."

Host Susanna Reid asked if Jodie had any indication of which tier her area (West Sussex) would be placed under, as Tier 2 and Tier 3 would mean her pub faced more stringent restrictions.

The Argus: The supermodel has appeared on Good Morning Britain throughout lockdown to discuss the huge impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on pubs The supermodel has appeared on Good Morning Britain throughout lockdown to discuss the huge impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on pubs

Jodie said: "No, absolutely not. But where we are is very, very rural and we were always low during the last restrictions.

"I'm praying, because we are in the middle of nowhere (that we will be able to open fully in Tier 1).

"Of course, if they close down counties, that is going to be a serious issue."

The tiers for each area in the UK are set to be announced tomorrow.

In a previous appearance on the ITV breakfast show, Jodie warned that social distancing restrictions in small, country pubs could kill profits, with the number of customers and resulting sales at the sites severely limited.