A Bristol pub has been accused of flouting the Government instruction to close.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered pubs, cafes and restaurants – except takeaways – to close on Friday (March 20) in a bid to tackle the coronavirus spread.
But the Gloucester Old Spot in Horfield has come under fire for allegedly breaching the ban on Saturday.
A passer-by, who wished to be anonymous, says there were around 25 people drinking outside the Kellaway Avenue boozer at 2pm.
He said: "It was serving drinks from an open window to drinkers standing around openly drinking in the courtyard, just outside the pub entrance.
"The little courtyard in front of the entrance was brimming with people just standing drinking. The bar staff continued serving new people regardless.
"We had to move to the opposite pavement, there were so many people blocking the way. It was unbelievable and frankly disgraceful."
The witness described the pub as being "extremely reckless", adding: "I’m boycotting it."
Old Spot director Amy Devenish told Bristol Live the watering hole closed its doors on Friday as ordered by the Prime Minister.
She said: "What remaining beer was in the barrels was made available to the local community through a serving hatch, customers using their own vessels, between 10.30am and 2.30pm [on Saturday]."
'No pub can honestly say they haven't pulled a pint since Friday'
The Stoke Inn, on Bristol Road in Chew Stoke, has also faced criticism for serving beer.
One local man complained: "The pub is offering a takeaway service still and said they were allowing people collecting food to drink while they wait.
"They had been waiting a very long time by the look of a few of them. With a large number of elderly residents in the village, I am concerned that people using the shop are at risk, as the staff are clearly still in contact with lots of people."
The Stoke Inn's landlord Lee Lashenko says he "100 per cent" denies ignoring Johnson's orders.
He said: "We provide pizza and Indian takeaways. If people are here a bit early, they can have a pint to drink while they're waiting for their food.
"I'm not overly bothered about certain accusations because my own house is in order. No pub can honestly say they haven't pulled a pint since Friday.
"At the busiest time, there might be four people waiting in the pub for their food. It would tend to be a five to 10-minute wait, and they'd be drinking from plastic disposable cups.
"From a selfish landlord point of view, we could have done with more notice on the closures because we had a busy Mothering Sunday planned, but I suppose if they'd had notice the whole country would have been in party mode for a week."
Both Mr Lashenko and Ms Devenish say they are reaching out to support the community through the Covid-19 crisis.
Mr Lashenko said: "We were out today delivering food boxes to the elderly in the area. We've been delivering milk and bread to doorsteps in the area.
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"No one’s taking this more seriously than me, so I would just like more sensible criticism."
And Ms Devenish said: "In light of the announcement made on Sunday by the Housing and Communities Minister we will be actively putting ourselves forward so the Gloucester Old Spot can become a distribution and support centre to serve our local community.
"We want to help with the provision of medical and food needs in support of those in need and in particular those who are locally most vulnerable. We have our supply chains and these can be put to use for the community.
"There are challenging times ahead and, together with my staff, the Gloucester Old Spot intends to do what it can to be of use to its neighbours.”
