A restaurant that gave free meals to NHS staff has temporarily closed after losing £1,000 a day because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Kayes Ibrahim, who owns Lebanese restaurant Tarboush in Market Street, Watford, says the spread of Covid-19 has been "having an effect" on business at the restaurant.

Now, because of the spread, Mr Ibrahim has closed the restaurant temporarily "to protect customers and staff".

He confirmed that there are no cases of coronavirus at the Tarboush.

Mr Ibrahim said: "We are closing because we want everyone to be safe.

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"We know that we are going to lose money and there will not be a lot to do, but this is the best thing to do.

"We will, however, be operating a delivery only service to keep the business going."

Earlier this week, the restaurant handed out 811 free meals to NHS and Peace Hospice staff from Watford.

Mr Ibrahim said he did this because "they are doing a great job dealing with the outbreak."

It is not the first time the Tarboush has given out free meals - on Christmas day last year staff worked to give out a hot meal to people in need.

Mr Ibrahim added: "It makes me feel great to do something like this and to give back to the community."

Sixteen people who are employed at the restaurant will keep their jobs by working to keep the delivery service going, but they will have to work reduced hours.

Watford Observer:

Mr Ibrahim (right) with his family 

In a statement posted on the Tarboush restaurant's facebook page on Wednesday, March 18, it said: "We believe it is everyone's responsibility to help support the NHS and reduce the burden on them by social distancing to reduce the spread of Covid-19 to save lives.

"We have decided that from tomorrow Tarboush will be closing our doors and from Friday we will operate a delivery only service to protect our customers and staff."