A popular Nottingham music venue and shop has issued a statement after it received criticism over its Covid measures.
One customer went so far as to describe the new rules as 'fascist' after a notice published on Rough Trade's Instagram page set out its own restrictions.
The post on Thursday, December 2, informed customers who did not have the Covid vaccine and wanted to attend an event that they would have to give proof of a negative Covid test.
This was prior to any announcements made by the government about venues and Covid passes, which were enforced on December 15.
A spokesperson for Rough Trade, in Broad Street, said: "I think ours (measures) just match what the nation is doing right now.
"We were a little ahead of the ball really, to try and keep all the staff and attendees safe.
"We did it for the good of the music scene, and we are not asking people to get their vaccinations or otherwise they cannot come in.
"If people are double-vaxxed, then brilliant.
"If you're not, then just have a PCR or lateral flow test and prove it that way - we don't enforce anything."
From Wednesday (December 15), the rules for visiting certain venues and events have changed, restricting access to those who did not have both doses of an approved vaccine.
Indoor events with more than 500 attendees fall under these rules and organisations are told by the Government to 'take reasonable steps, to ensure visitors over 18 show an NHS Covid pass or approved proof of vaccination.
The move has not been welcomed by all customers, with one customer, who asked not to be named but confirmed they are not vaccinated, saying: "I'm one of their customers - I have been there loads, and there are loads of photographs of me there, I have been to loads of gigs and I live just round the corner from it.
"I am boycotting Rough Trade, and a lot of people were understandably outraged that this one venue had gone against any governmental advice and on their own backs had decided to post that.
"And one type of person, including myself, would no longer be allowed through the door."
He added: "From what we're seeing, there seems to be a rise in fascism at the moment whereby governments are taking away people's rights, segregating the society.
"They are basically saying - group A are allowed to do everything in society and group B, not being allowed to do various things.
"So obviously I felt had to make a stand against that."
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