The night-time economy advisor for Greater Manchester has said he is “nervous” about pubs, bars and restaurants reopening tomorrow.
Sacha Lord, founder of the Warehouse Project and Parklife festival and advisor for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, said he has had a number of conversations with venues and police – but knows things will all hinge on “how the customers behave”.
He said: “I am nervous about tomorrow. When you add in alcohol, and I’m not saying I’m an angel, but you start to loosen up a bit, don’t you. You start hugging your mates and that’s a big concern.
“Customers need to follow guidelines. Venues have done their risk assessments, but it depends on how the customers behave.”
The advisor and promoter said he has had positive conversations with Greater Manchester Police about their plans for this weekend.
He said: “They’re being very pragmatic about it, which has been great to hear. But where they have to they will step in.”
Sacha said he agrees with Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham’s previous statements on reopening.
He said: “Andy’s been clear, he thinks it’s slightly too early to open and I agree with him.
“The industry is on its knees, absolutely on its knees and I understand that independents need to hear cash going their their tills, but if opening now causes a second wave, it will decimate the industry. You only have to look at Leicester with local lockdowns.”
The advisor and promoter is also concerned the city centre of Manchester will take the longest to recover from coronavirus.
He doesn’t think tomorrow will give a “clear indication” of what’s to come.
He said: “Some places will be really busy. I’ve spoken to places that have loads of bookings for tomorrow but then are dead for the rest of the week. You can’t run a business on a half-busy Saturday afternoon.”
Sacha started a Twitter survey that 3,300 people filled out on his profile.
According to the results, 56pc of people are planning on staying at home tomorrow rather than going out, just 12pc plan on heading into Manchester City Centre and 32pc plan on staying local wherever they are in Greater Manchester.
He added: “All I would say is please look after each other this weekend, look after your mates and follow the rules. But on the plus side, you can enjoy a pint.”
