Liverpool branded ‘city of shame’ after one last blowout

The last time Liverpool really partied hard, the city’s red half was celebrating winning the league for the first time in decades. On Tuesday night, revellers were out in force again. But this time in mourning – a last chance to enjoy a night-time drink, before hundreds of pubs and bars closed at 5pm yesterday.

The city’s mayor said video footage of large crowds blocking a police car and hurling drinks and abuse had “shamed our city” while Thérèse Coffey, the Liverpool-raised Cabinet minister, said she was “saddened” by such “irresponsible” behaviour.

By yesterday afternoon, Liverpool had calmed down, the pubs (those that don’t serve “substantial meals”) quiet before a government-mandated closure that includes leisure centres, casinos, gyms and betting shops. Pubs that do serve food may not fare much better. Yesterday, signs were going up warning customers “all alcoholic drinks must be bought with a meal”.

Lee Morris, 27, and his girlfriend Miah Perry, 26, were enjoying a final drink as the clock ticked down to 5pm. “It’s mad,” said Mr Morris. “You can see the footfall through the city centre has already dropped hugely. It was dead during the first lockdown and I think it’ll be like that again.”

They will have to order a meal if they want to drink in a pub again, but more distressing for Mr Morris was gyms closing. He works out five times a week and “I’ve lost that and it’s tough not being able to train”.

Mojo, an independent cocktail bar, closed its doors on Tuesday night and with no food served there is no wriggle room around the rules. “The writing has been on the wall really,” said Peter Williams, a barman now fearing for his future. “It is a massive worry. You think venues, like ourselves, could be forced to close (indefinitely).”

Peter Kinsell Kinsella, 56, owner of Lunya, a Spanish bar, restaurant res and deli that will remain ope open, fears a catastrophic drop in footfall footfall. “Businesses are fearful of closure, permanent perm closure, because trade h has disappeared this week,” said Mr Kinsella, “If this goes on for too long, to Christmas or past Christmas, we a are in trouble, really serious trouble at that point.”

Yesterday’s q quiet was in stark contrast to Tue Tuesday night’s mayhem. Footage showe showed partygoers pouring into the streets after pubs shut at 10pm and in o one case a police car seemi seemingly under attack from a larg large crowd. Joe Anderson, the Li Liverpool mayor, posted on Tw Twitter: “These pictures sham shame our city, attacking our b brave police is unacc unacceptable. Our health servi service is creaking, 300 in hosp hospital and 30 people dead in a w week. Ignoring these facts is why we are in tier three measures.”

Liv Liverpool may be the first Engli English city to be hit hard by as a second wave lockdown, but it won’t be the last.