Defying continued prohibition orders, some UK pubs have been secretly serving booze, and their begrudged patrons resorting to violence in defence of their perceived right to sip a pint.
Australian pubs are mostly resuming trade, albeit subdued, but thousands of pubs across Britain are counting down the minutes to 4 July, the day Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced they can reopen.
This marks when Britain’s social distancing laws will be reduced from two metres to “one-plus”. Many of the UK’s pubs had lamented they simply could not adhere to the previous social distancing standard and would be unable to open anyway, and many more have reportedly voiced concern about ever reopening at all.
But some other landlords have not let the recent legislation get in the way of opportunity to satisfy thirsty drinkers.
The Britannia Hotel in Vauxhall, Liverpool, was entertaining around 100 people on Sunday night. Shortly after midnight neighbours alerted authorities, reporting loud music and a crowd causing a disturbance.
Police arrived and were reportedly pelted with drinks as the revellers barricaded themselves inside.
Seven men and one woman, aged 21 to 33 years, were arrested at the scene. No police were seriously injured.
The pub’s licence has been surrendered.
“This is appalling behaviour and saddens me to see officers being put at risk from those flouting government guidelines,” said Merseyside police detective inspector Phil Atkinson.
“Regardless of the current climate, throwing things at officers will never be accepted. Eight people were arrested and prosecution is likely.”
In late April South Yorkshire Police raided the Pitsmoor Hotel in Sheffield, following reports it was continuing to serve customers.
Pubs in the UK have been closed since late March, with special COVID-19 legislation stipulating owners will be issued a prohibition notice and fined if establishments are opened. If the prohibition notice is defied magistrates have no limit on the size of fines they can impose.
The Pitsmoor was forced to shut due to the raid on 24 April, and Sheffield City Council issued a prohibition order.
But following reports from members of the public that trade continued, police returned the next day to find people being served on the roof to make it look as though there was no-one inside. Some patrons hiding from the Bobbies were found cowering in cupboards.
The Pitsmoor had already had its licence suspended in January for non-payment of fees.
It was operated by Paul Greasby, along with the Staffordshire Arms, which has now also had its licence stripped.
