The government’s decision to allow pubs and bars in England to serve alcohol from 6am on Saturday morning has been slammed as ‘ludicrous’ and ‘utterly bonkers’ by prominent Manchester councillors.
Restrictions on the hospitality sector will be lifted after midnight on July 4, but the government has pushed the reopening times back to prevent midnight parties being held.
There are now fears venues might open earlier than they normally would after being shut for more than three months during the coronavirus pandemic.
The latest move by Downing Street has been heavily criticised by Manchester councillors at a meeting held on Friday afternoon.
Council leader Sir Richard Leese said a phased opening on Monday evening - not the weekend - would have been a more ‘sensible’ decision.
He added: “Clearly we want these businesses back up and running, and we want people back in work, but this is actually putting them at risk.
“There’s no point having them back in work this weekend if they're out again next weekend because we’ve got a spike.
“It’s absolutely ludicrous.”
Manchester council has agreed to give several city centre venues extra outdoor space to accommodate customers.
Before the government’s announcement Councillor Pat Karney said there would be no hesitation to close any venue not adhering to health and safety regulations.
The council’s city centre spokerspson told the meeting: “I hope the council will condemn this and stupid and utterly bonkers decision which sends out hte wrong message, and sets the wrong tone.
“You would think with an announcement like that we’d be entering the Christmas season when really we’re in the middle of a health crisis and people are still getting ill and dying.
“I hope that bars and pubs in Greater Manchester will use their common sense and shun this decision to open at 6am tomorrow morning.”
Greater Manchester Police mayor Andy Burnham has already urged the public to ‘be cautious, be sensible and look out for each other’ over the weekend.
Meanwhile Greater Manchester Police has cancelled leave for many of its officers ahead of a 'significant' operation to prevent any disorder arising from the pubs and bars reopening.
