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Drinkers urged to ‘respect new rules’ ahead of Super Saturday

Workers prepare an outdoor seating area at a pub in Birmingham on 2 July, 2020, ahead of "super Saturday": JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Workers prepare an outdoor seating area at a pub in Birmingham on 2 July, 2020, ahead of "super Saturday": JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Hospitality leaders and police chiefs have asked pub-goers to respect the new guidelines which will be in place when the industry reopens on Saturday, amid concerns that large-scale drinking could lead to disorder and to the flouting of social distancing rules.

The appeal, launched by the British Beer & Pub Association and the National Police Chiefs' Council among other partners, called on customers to treat pub landlords and staff well, enabling them to open pubs in a safe way.

In a statement, the groups said: "It's important everyone respects the new measures in place to ensure everyone can enjoy the return of our pubs safely."

"If we all work together we can ensure that the reopening of pubs and hospitality is a success and an enjoyable experience for everyone," it added.

This came as Tim Clarke of the Metropolitan Police Federation warned that "super Saturday", the name given to the day when pubs and restaurants can reopen in England, could be "as busy as policing New Year's Eve".

The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) also offered guidance to those wishing to head to the pub on Saturday, saying people should order and be served at their tables and give their contact information to help with contract tracing. It added that punters might not be allowed to head inside pubs if it rains.

Nik Antona, the chairman of Camra, said the last few months had shown people how important pubs were to communities in the UK.

"As pubs across England begin to reopen, it is important that we give pubs our support not only this weekend but in the weeks and months ahead so they can survive and thrive," he added.

In addition to the appeals from figures in the hospitality sector and the police, the prime minister will return to the 10 Downing Street lectern on Friday evening to caution drinkers in England not to "overdo it" on Saturday.

The Treasury last night removed a tweet encouraging people to “grab a drink and raise a glass” on 4 July, after it provoked an angry backlash on social media.

A Treasury source admitted the department had made a mistake with the message, telling The Independent: “We got it wrong on this and the tweet was quickly removed.”

Geraint Davies, the Labour MP for Swansea West, was among those who criticised the post.

”This is wholly irresponsible publicity by the Conservative Government which will fuel a resurgence of coronavirus infection and death in England," he said in a tweet on Wednesday.

Mr Davies told The Independent that the government was deliberately pushing people into crowded spaces, without suggesting health precautions like the use of masks and straws.

The MP said: "They [the government] anticipate a spike in infection and then intend to blame ‘irresponsible individuals’, as they did in Bournemouth when, on a hot day, tens of thousands took advantage of the government invitation to travel any distance."

"With wilful negligence, the death rate dial is being turned up in England," he added.

According to recent research, the public could spend as much as £3.8 billion on going to the pub, eating out and heading on domestic holidays in the first week after restrictions are eased on 4 July.

Additional reporting from PA

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