A bar has denied breaking coronavirus lockdown rules after dozens of people were pictured soaking up the sun outside its venue.
Pictures show people flouting the social distancing rules and sitting down together on benches outside Bar Eight in Castlefield on bank holiday Friday.
There are reports on social media that Greater Manchester Police were called to the scene to 'move them along'.
But the bar has said the space directly outside their venue on Castle Quay is 'communal' and that they haven't broken any lockdown rules.
A spokesperson for the bar said people have been congregating in the area 'for the last couple of weeks'.
They said that revellers have been buying their own alcohol from nearby shops and sitting down in the outside area.
The restaurant is currently open, but for takeaway food only.
A spokesperson for Bar Eight said: "The space outside of our bar is a communal area, people have been congregating in and around the area for the last couple of weeks.
"People have been buying alcohol in the shops and sitting down in the outside area.
"We have not broken any lockdown rules as we are only doing food for takeaway only."
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