Video shows crowds spilling out onto Deansgate on first weekend of 10pm curfew
Footage shot on Deansgate shows a mass exodus as punters are booted out of local bars on the weekend - resulting in streams of people piling out onto the streets either side of busy traffic.
A video captured on Saturday evening showed punters spilling out onto city centre streets as the aftereffects of the pub curfew were seen for the first time on a busy weekend.
Since 24 September, the hospitality sector has been required to stop serving food and drink by law at 10pm.
Footage shot on Deansgate shows a mass exodus as punters are booted out of local bars on the weekend – resulting in streams of people piling out onto the streets either side of busy traffic.
The video, captioned “Deansgate at 10pm. Well done government”, shows crowds congregating outside the pubs and restaurants on one of Manchester’s busiest roads – some seemingly heading home; others lurking in the area.
A hubbub of whoops and laughs soundtrack the busy scene – with slow-moving traffic carefully weaving around those who are walking into the road.
ADVERTISEMENT
Another photo also shows the huge queues waiting at the Deansgate-Castlefield Metrolink stop.
Hospitality has accused the government of unfairly targeting the industry throughout the pandemic, with many businesses concerned they won’t be able to survive with truncated opening hours.
ADVERTISEMENT
Manchester Nightlife Economy Adviser Sacha Lord called the new rules “shambolic”.
It’s very clear, across the UK, that this ill thought out 10pm curfew, has pushed everyone out of venues with socially distanced measures, into the streets, into off licenses, supermarkets, over crowded public transport and house parties. Every operator predicted this. Shambolic.
“It’s very clear, across the UK, that this ill thought out 10pm curfew, has pushed everyone out of venues with socially distanced measures, into the streets, into off licenses, supermarkets, over crowded public transport and house parties,” wrote the Parklife founder on Twitter.
“Every operator predicted this.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham called for an “urgent review” of the 10pm curfew, adding that it was doing “more harm than good as it creates an incentive to gather in the streets or at home.”
“There is definitely science behind it,” said the MP on The Andrew Marr Show.
“That’s why we’re requiring people to be seated in pubs and restaurants, so that stops the flow of them to and from the bar.”
News
More Greater Manchester football matches called off as Storm Goretti sets in
Danny Jones
Yet more scheduled football matches in Greater Manchester and the surrounding regions have been postponed and/or cancelled due to Storm Goretti.
The increasingly cold, blustery and icy conditions moving over from France and across more parts of the UK have already caused schools to close, flights to be grounded, and plenty more disruption.
Another such inconvenience has come in the form of live sports, large swathes of which now look like they simply won’t be taking place.
One of the latest to be called off is Salford City‘s upcoming game against Swindon Town in the FA Cup this weekend, with various other games involving teams up and down the footballing pyramid now facing uncertainty over whether their third-round fixtures will go ahead as planned.
Ironically, this is just the tip of the iceberg, if you’ll pardon the very obvious pun.
Another game that was called off late last week, between Chadderton and FC Isle of Man, is yet to be rescheduled; the same is true of Rochdale AFC’s meeting with Brackley Town, Radcliffe v Oxford City, as well as games involving Bury, Stockport Town, Irlam, Cheadle Town, Prestwich Heys and more.
Other nearby outfits, such as Chorley, Warrington Rylands and Ramsbottom United, just to name a few, are also still unsure of when their next game will be.
In many cases, it is simply a matter of the grounds being largely or completely frozen and deemed unfit for use following pitch inspections.
Oldham Athletic – which has already been hit with plenty of snow and frost – yesterday confirmed that their Notts County clash wouldn’t be going ahead due to that very reason.
With winds of up to 90 miles per hour also being reported, yellow and even red weather warnings have been issued across various parts of the country, with people being urged to check their routes home from work by local authorities.
Storm Goretti should start calming down this evening (Fri, 9 January) and into Saturday morning, but the after-effects could still play havoc over the next few days.
For instance, over in Cheshire, Macclesfield FC are going so far as to call on nearby residents to help clear their playing surface from heavy snowfall.
So, if you’re in the area and fancy helping out, they could sure do with your help.
VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED
Macclesfield FC are once again requesting the help of the fanbase and the local community to help clear the remainder of the compacted snow from the surrounding areas of the https://t.co/fL99QEEJ4D Stadium.
Featured Images — Wikimedia Commons/The Manc Group
News
Glitzy Spinningfields bar famed for its bottomless deals shuts down
Daisy Jackson
Popular cocktail bar group Banyan has suddenly closed its glitzy bar in the heart of Spinningfields.
The restaurant and bar, which is part of the Arc Inspirations group that also operates Manahatta and Box, has shut down with immediate effect.
A sign has been posted in the window of the Spinningfields site of Banyan confirming its closure.
Banyan opened in 2018 and was the second site for the brand, which has been operating out of the Corn Exchange since 2015.
Inside, the huge 7,000sq ft space was split into spaces for drinking, dining and dancing, including a large mezzanine and a huge white marble bar.
Banyan is famed for its bottomless deals, whether that’s a classic bottomless brunch or their bottomless Sunday roast (endless Yorkshire puddings, gravy, wine, and roast potatoes).
It also offered two-for-one cocktails, all day every day.
The bar stands on the side of Spinningfields, directly opposite The Ivy and alongside The Alchemist.
Banyan in Spinningfields has shut downThe note in the window of Banyan
But now it has permanently closed its doors, thanking people for their custom over its almost-decade in Manchester.
The sign on the door says: “Banyan Spinningfields is now permanently closed.
“Thank you so much for your custom over the years, we’ve loved being part of this wonderful city and have made so many friends.
“Don’t be a stranger, we’d love to continue to welcome you to our Banyan bar in the Corn Exchange. Team Banyan.”
The Manc -
28th September 2020 
