Signs of revival as revellers enjoy the taste of freedom
STUART PIKE
IT was dubbed Super Saturday, England’s very own Independence Day.
Saturday, July 4 saw the reopening of pubs and bars in line with the latest relaxation of lockdown rules.
A significant policing operation was put in place ahead of the weekend and NHS Trusts were also warned to ‘prepare for Super Saturday like it’s New Year’s Eve.’
In many areas it turned out a bit like the weather to be somewhat of a damp squib - although perhaps that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing with coronavirus still very much a real threat.
But while many chose to stay away a bit longer from their favourite watering holes, there were plenty of signs of life beginning to return to normal across the Valley.
Rossendale Police visited as many premises as possible together with the Licensing Enforcement Officer from Rossendale Council.
Rossendale
Police
●● Red Lion Inn in Whitworth opens its doors for the first time in months, following lockdown
Inspector David Clarke said: “The guidance to the trade had been received quite late in the day and our visits were more around guidance and assistance rather than prosecution.
“We found that most premises had made good preparations for reopening and were operating in a safe and responsible fashion.
“A minority of premises which were found to have made little in the way of alterations will be subject to further enforcement visits.
“As expected this was a busy night for the police and in view of this we had extra numbers on duty to cope with demand.”
Bethany Hayes, restaurant supervisor at the Firepit restaurant and bar in Rawtenstall, said they had been “really busy” since reopening on July 4, and was really pleased to be back rather than on furlough.
She said: “We have been fully booked and everyone has enjoyed themselves.
“We have opened the bar upstairs into a restaurant instead of a cocktail bar, giving us the same amount of tables as we had before but with more space.
“We have got a oneway system in place, all the staff are wearing masks and we are wiping everything down a lot.”
Anyone wanting a table at the Station Court venue, which ran a takeaway and delivery service during lockdown, needs to book in advance.
As well as restaurants and pubs, museums and galleries, cinemas, hairdressers, children’s playgrounds and holiday accommodation were allowed to reopen from Saturday.
Not all eligible businesses opened to coincide with the big reopening weekend, however, with some particularly smaller venues choosing to delay until this week.
Bethany added: “We have gone straight in with opening, but some places are taking a bit of time.”
The Red Lion Inn in Whitworth said that trade had been ‘ ok’ on the bar, but they are taking bookings for when food restarts this weekend.
Rossendale council leader Alyson Barnes, writing in her political column, said: “Last weekend was a big weekend for many in the hospitality sector locally. Rossendale was very busy with many pubs and bars going to significant lengths to ensure that their staff and customers were as safe as possible, sadly this was not the case everywhere.”
MS J Hartley has applied for full planning permission for the construction of eight three-bedroom dwellings with associated access and works at the former car park, Park Road, Helmshore.
Other planning applications submitted to Rossendale council include:
MRS K Cartwright has applied for the construction of a horse riding arena at Gander Brow, Billygate, Shawforth, Rochdale.
A HOUSEHOLDER has applied for listed building consent for the installation of french windows to the south wall of the cottage and the repair of stone work behind the earth bank at Pinner Cottage, Pinner Lane, Crawshawbooth.
MR N Pearson has applied for the approval of details reserved by conditions involving stone samples, material on external elevations/ roof must adhere to approved plans, drainage systems, management and maintenance plan of drainage plan, investigation and risk assessment, and treatment of all parts on the site not covered by buildings, in relation to a previously submitted application at The Hollies, Alden Road, Helmshore.
LORRAINE
Ashworth has applied for prior notification for the change of use from a shop to a cafe with installation of 65X65cm wall flush vent and 45X45cm air intake vent to side gable elevation at 1 Jubilee Road, Haslingden.
A HOUSEHOLDER has applied for a first floor extension to the existing dwelling at 14 Conway Close, Haslingden.
REV Stephen Crook has submitted a full planning application for a single-storey front extension and additional car parking facility at Goodshaw Baptist Church,
Chapel Street, Crawshawbooth.