A coach load of tourists from Bolton have reportedly left locals angry after travelled to Wales for an already-cancelled ‘Elvis Festival despite local lockdown restrictions.
The Porthcawl Elvis Festival – which held annually in Bridgend County, South Wales and usually attracts about 35,000 fans and 100 impersonators – was understandably cancelled this year due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Following a rise in confirmed cases, Bridgend County Borough was placed under local lockdown restrictions effective of yesterday (22nd September) at 6pm, with residents requiring “a reasonable excuse” to leave their county and tourists warned against travelling to the region.
This didn’t seem to stop a group of Bolton residents travelling there anyway.
The tourists arrived by coach on Monday afternoon after travelling 180 miles to the Seabank Hotel on Porthcawl’s seafront, only to then be told the county would become subject to tighter restrictions.
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Instead of spending the four nights in Porthcawl, the hotel is then believed to have transferred the group’s stay elsewhere and it is alleged that the tourists have travelled to the seaside town of Tenby in Pembrokeshire to continue their holiday.
Welsh Government has confirmed further restrictions for Bridgend County Borough from 6pm on Tuesday 22 September to help stop the spread of coronavirus.
? do not travel outside of Bridgend County Borough without a reasonable excuse. 1/6 pic.twitter.com/T8tUubcamo
Reporting from Porthcawl on Monday evening, BBC journalist Rhys Williams, said: “Not so long ago, a coach full of tourists turned up at one of the hotels along the seafront,
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“I spoke to a couple of the travellers on there who had actually come all the way from Bolton and instead of staying the four nights they were going to they had been told it was rearranged and tomorrow they were going to Tenby instead due to the restrictions that were due to come in to place.”
The UK government guidance does however allow residents from areas under local lockdown restrictions in England to travel outside of the area for tourism purposes with members of their household or social bubble.
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This discrepancy has fuelled concerns over lockdown tourism.
Andrew RT Davies – the Welsh Conservatives’ health spokesperson – told BBC Radio Wales it seemed “remarkable” that people from Bolton were on a coach holiday in Wales.
He said: “It doesn’t seem as if they have broken any rules or regulations, I think it emphasises the need to have a joined up approach between all the countries of the United Kingdom,
“If one part of the UK is allowing for such visits to be undertaken and another part of the UK is receiving those visits and testing isn’t in place to make sure those people aren’t leaving the area and might be spreading the virus, then obviously that is a gaping hole in the regulations.”
By working together we can stop coronavirus taking hold of our communities again.
-Keep 2m apart -Wash your hands -Work from home, if you can -Wear a face covering where needed -Only meet 6 people from your extended household indoors -Only travel when necessary#KeepWalesSafepic.twitter.com/eSTm70AK2e
The recent reports have also provoked anger on social media, with many Welsh residents querying why visitors are allowed to travel from a town with such high levels of coronavirus (COVID-19) infection rates.
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A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire Council added: “There are no restrictions to stop people leaving Bolton to go on holiday other than they should be doing so with people with whom they live (or in a ‘bubble’ with). There were no current restrictions on the bus load of persons leaving Porthcawl either at the time, and nothing to stop them from being in Tenby.”
They added the council’s enforcement team would be monitoring premises in Tenby to make sure they were complying with the current regulations.
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For the latest information, guidance and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the UK, please do refer to official sources at gov.uk/coronavirus.
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Local artist Michael J. Browne’s latest exhibition is complete and free to view in town
Danny Jones
Celebrated local artist Michael J. Browne (MJB) has finally assembled his latest exhibition, and it’s now on display for free right in the middle of Manchester.
The Moss Side native has completed a number of eye-catching works over the past year or so, which many of you may have noticed steadily cropping up along Deansgate.
Famed for working with the likes of Eric Cantona and the National Football Museum, as well as a viral piece picturing President Donald Trump pride of place in the city centre, he’s been making waves from a particular corner over the past few months.
That piece, along with multiple follow-ups in the collection, can be viewed in the flesh at no cost – and trust us, they’re worth examining up close and personal…
Entitled, ‘A Portrait of Power’, the new exhibit by Michael J. Browne is uneniably one of his most provocative yet, spotlighting figures like Trump, notable British politicians, the Royal Family and more in a big shop window over at Great Northern Warehouse.
Featuring everything from football-themed nods to the likes of Maradona and Cristiano Ronaldo, to his monumental ‘Sovereign Servant’ oil painting, which sees recognisable Royals, Conservatives and other famous faces aboard HMS Victory in front of the Houses of Parliament, the intricacy is staggering.
You only have to glimpse one of these point-blank to see the sheer level of detail; collectively, the art amounts to thousands of hours of effort and weeks spent covering every inch of the large canvases.
Exhibiting a bold fusion of historical symbolism with contemporary commentary, drawing from key cultural characters that make up the current zeitgeist, Browne is all about capturing the shifting face of ‘British identity’, as ever amorphous and transient as it may be.
Put simply, this installation is “a portrait of power, legacy, and national reflection.”
Known for his incredibly precise and almost microscopic technique, MJB‘s work has been showcased all over the world, including at the National Portrait Gallery, and never fails to stir up a conversation.
The exhibition will be held for a limited time at his current venue within units 291-293 at Great Northern.
Situated right on the corner of the main Deansgate strip and the adjoining Great Bridgewater Street, it’s hard to miss once you’ve seen it.
Private viewings are also available by appointment for the likes of MPs, political party members and accredited media, as well as interested members of the public.
The Streets have just announced a massive outdoor gig in Manchester
Danny Jones
UK hip-hop, garage and grime icons The Streets have become the latest act confirmed for the Sounds of the City musical festival 2026, announcing a huge outdoor gig in Manchester as part of their shows next summer.
One of the most influential bands in the space, having inspired countless others in adjacent genres over the past couple of decades, The Streets are up there with some of the biggest names to ever book Castlefield Bowl.
Revealing a brand new UK tour in line with a special album anniversary, which features just a handful of domestic live dates, we’re counting ourselves very lucky to be on the list.
Big news! The Streets @mikeskinnerltd will perform 'A Grand Don’t Come For Free' in full for the first time at Manchester Castlefield Bowl & @Yourallypally Park in July 2026 🔥
Set to play the fan favourite amphitheatre for the second time, the 46-year-old frontman and legendary British producer is bringing vocalist Kevin Mark Trail, guitarist Rob Harvey, and a number of other regular session players along for the ride.
Other cities being treated to the experience include the likes of London, Bristol and our mates over in Leeds, too.
The tour itself is to mark 20 years since the release of their seminal second album, A Grand Don’t Come For Free, which remains arguably their most important work.
Skinner and his mates join the likes of The K’s in being the first to join the lineup for Sounds of the City 2026; safe to say it’s already off to a good start.
An incredibly well-received follow-up to their already impressive debut, Original Pirate Material, the much-loved 2004 LP is set to be played in full for the first time EVER.
Speaking on the milestone, Skinner said:“A Grand Don’t Come For Free was a moment in time — for me, and for everyone who grew up with it. I wrote it as a story from beginning to end, even studying screenwriting to shape it and without the faintest idea how people would react.
“We’ve been looking for something bold to do with the live show, and we landed here: some tracks have never been played live, others haven’t surfaced in years.
“It’s a new challenge to bring the whole journey to life on stage, but I have an incredible band, and we always give everything every night. So I’m certain we’ll make finding out what happened to that thousand quid a party every night.”
You can see the full list of shows down below.
The Streets live UK tour dates 2026
Friday, June 26, 2026 – Dreamland – Margate
Saturday, June 27, 2026 – Bristol Sounds – Bristol
Saturday, July 18, 2026 – Alexandra Palace Park – London
Thursday, July 23, 2026 – Ludlow Castle – Ludlow
Friday, July 24, 2026 – Kirkstall Abbey – Leeds
Friday, August 7, 2026 – Audley End Estate – Essex
Friday, August 21, 2026 – Rock n Roll Circus – Norwich
You can get ready to grab your tickets for The Streets live for Sounds of the City at Castlefield Bowl by signing up for exclusive artist pre-sale access, or you can just go for general admission when they go live next Friday, 17 October HERE.
The Manc -
23rd September 2020 
