PARTY TIME OVER AS PUBS CALL TIME
GROUPS of revellers descended on Nottingham city centre on Thursday night before Tier 3 came into effect at midnight.
Drinkers came in larger numbers than previous recent weekends to take advantage of the city’s plethora of bars, which shut their doors from midnight.
These pictures show some groups took to the streets of Nottingham in fancy dress ahead of the new measures.
In Old Market Square in Nottingham city centre on Thursday evening, youngsters were seen posing for photographs dressed as minions from the film Despicable Me while other chanted and sang.
It comes as Tier 3 restrictions come into force, meaning hospitality venues that don’t serve “substantial food” called last orders for the final time in at least four weeks.
Other venues which do sell food can only sell alcohol alongside their meals, meaning Thursday was the final opportunity to go out for just a drink in the city.
And the usual popular hotspots of Hockley and the Lace Market, as well as popular streets like St James’ Street and Foreman Street, had drinkers out in their household bubbles to enjoy the city’s bars.
Ryan Merrigold, 20, a student at Nottingham Trent University, was out with his housemates and said: “It’s the last chance to get out into the pubs and actually have a pint.
“I won’t be going out to buy food with my drinks when the rules come into place so it’s about enjoying the beer tonight and hoping the rules don’t last long.”
The city wasn’t just populated with students from its two universities, with local couples also heading out for a drink. Darren Hart, 43, of Carlton was out drinking with his wife Marie in Foreman Street.
He said: “It’s a massive shame for all these bars around here that don’t serve food.
“We’ve got a long weekend off as we were supposed to be going away this weekend but it’s been cancelled because of Tier 3 so we headed out to have one last drink in the city. “I really hope it doesn’t last long and the businesses can get back open soon.
“There are so many hard working bars and pubs in Nottingham and it’s horrible to see they’re having to close just because they don’t serve substantial meals.”
Nottinghamshire Police had issued a warning earlier on Thursday that they would have “no hesitation” in fining people deliberately flouting the rules.
Assistant Chief Constable Kate Meynell said: ““The aim of the measures is to save lives. The new Tier 3 restrictions will mean greater limits on socialising across Nottinghamshire but it is important people continue to follow the rules. We will have no hesitation in fining people who flout the legislation with no regard for the impact their actions have on families and frontline key workers.”