Revellers praised for ‘positive atmosphere’
POLICE praised revellers across Greater Manchester after pubs opened for the first time since lockdown.
People were allowed into pubs and bars after nearly four months of lockdown measures forced them to close.
In Manchester city centre, many drinkers took advantage of outdoor seating that had been provided by venues.
It comes as some fear that the re-opening of pubs could lead to a spike in coronavirus cases.
Yesterday morning the Health Secretary said ‘very largely people have acted responsibly’ and adhered to social distancing, on a day dubbed as ‘Super Saturday’.
Asked for information on any incidents that police were called to, a GMP spokesperson said there were ‘no incidents of note’.
The force said there were ‘no critical incidents’ related to the re-opening of pubs, bars and restaurants.
Earlier on Saturday night, Inspector Sean O’Connor told the M.E.N.: “We’ve got a lot of the licenced premises back open, they have put their measures in place and we’ve got various areas with footfall where people are out, looking to enjoy a good time, which obviously we understand.
“Four months of lockdown is an incredibly long period of time.
“I think what is really positive is that we haven’t really seen any incidents of anti-social behaviour, it seems to be a good, positive atmosphere.
“People are conscious of the restrictions that are in place.”
Sacha Lord, Greater Manchester’s night-time economy advisor, had admitted to being ‘nervous’ prior to the pubs opening.
But he struck a more positive tone yesterday, saying that ‘on the whole’ people had followed guidelines and suggested that some people had opted to enjoy a night out locally rather than heading into the city centre.
Sacha, the founder of the Warehouse Project, tweeted: “Well the surveys were right.
“Our towns and villages across Greater Manchester were busy last night. People stayed local.
“More importantly, on the whole, customers followed guidelines and respected each other. Well done Greater Manchester!”
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