Mayhem on streets as ‘shambolic’ closing time curfew causes crowding
BORIS Johnson’s 10pm pub curfew has come under fire after bringing closing time chaos across the country.
In London’s Soho, Saturday night drinkers downed pints in the streets, while in Leeds many rushed to off-licences to party outside. Booze-fuelled crowds also gathered in
Bristol’s popular Harbourside area and on the streets of nightlife hotspot Newcastle.
Gatherings outside bars showed no social distancing, while public transport was packed.
Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson said: “The 10pm closure is making things worse, not better.”
Under a photo of groups outside the city’s Bargain Booze shop, Emilia Bona wrote: “Chucking out time. Two buses full and queues out the offy by the stop. This isn’t working.”
Manchester’s nightlife tsar Sacha Lord said: “This illthought-out curfew has pushed everyone out into the streets, into off-licences, supermarkets, over-crowded public transport and house parties. Shambolic.”
The PM’s curfew has drawn criticism after it emerged it was not called for by his panel of experts. Shadow Justice Secretary David Lammy said: “It’s not clear where that came from.”
But Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden insisted: “There is definitely science behind it.”
A gig by Dr Dre at Stanley Park, Liverpool, was closed by police who found no attempt at social distancing. Organisers were fined £10,000. Manchester restaurant Sanam was fined £10,000 and closed after police broke up a wedding party of 70. And Stafford Park in Telford, Shrops, was fined £10,000 over a wedding with 120 guests.
On Snowdon, walkers told of a 200m queue of people waiting to reach the summit.
Chucking out time… Two buses full and queues out the offy
EMILIA BONA ON CROWD AT LIVERPOOL BOOZE SHOP