Several pubs close early in Nottinghamshire due to 'alcohol related anti-social behaviour'

  • Video report by ITV News Reporter Dan Rivers

Several pubs decided to close early on Saturday night following alcohol related anti-social behaviour in north Nottinghamshire.

Police said three pubs in Mansfield and Sutton in Ashfield, plus two in Arnold and Newark closed - four people were arrested, according to Inspector Craig Berry.

It comes as queues formed outside hairdressers and pubs in England as venues reopen for “Super Saturday” following the easing of coronavirus lockdown.

London's Soho district was busy with punters. Credit: PA

Inspector Craig Berry of Nottinghamshire Police said: "Officers were quickly on the scene to deal with a number of alcohol related anti-social behaviour reports including a smashed window and minor assault.

"As a result four arrests were made by officers and we supported licensees who chose to close their own premises. No pubs have been closed by the police.

"We'd like to thank the majority of the public who have acted responsibly throughout Saturday, especially whilst watching the much-anticipated Derby v Forest match."

Ministers urged the public not to get carried away ahead of Saturday's reopenings.

Pubs were permitted to welcome customers from 6am but research suggests many of them will be keeping the shutters down for now.

Indeed the national chairman of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) said feedback from branches suggested up to half of pubs have not reopened as restrictions eased.

Camra's Nik Antona said many licensees had done a fantastic job to manage to reopen and criticised "insufficient notice" from the government.

"The government have not really been helpful with their guidance, leaving it to the last minute in a lot of cases," he said.

"What you are finding is, some of the pubs haven't even bothered opening today - they want to see what's going to happen."

  • ITV News Correspondent Dan Rivers talks to pub goers in Portsmouth

Statistics from the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) have revealed 31 per cent of bars, pubs and restaurants will stay closed on Saturday.

Chief executive Michael Kill called for more support for the industry from the government and said: "Our members feel stuck in a bizarre tug of war between government, licensing and planning regulators and the police.

"But no-one knows which rope to pull and in which direction, leaving businesses stranded in the middle with no way to move forward and out of this mess."

Pubs are due to reopen from 6am on Saturday Credit: Yui Mok/PA

As pubs and clubs stage a cautious reopening, West Midlands Labour police and crime commissioner David Jamieson said police are "praying for rain".

Mr Jamieson said while he thought people would "use good sense", it was "very bad" timing by the government to pick a Saturday night.

He added: "The Chief Constable and I often meet in the summer, we often have a discussion about the weekends.

'It is the case that when the weather is inclement, the problems we have are somewhat reduced.

"So we are praying for rain this Saturday."

A member of bar staff pulls a pint at the Shakespeares Head pub in Holborn, London. Credit: PA

The Prime Minister urged the public to adhere to "rules on social distancing" as businesses opened their doors.

Mr Johnson tweeted: "We’ve worked so hard and together saved so many lives. Stick to the rules this weekend, keep apart from others and wash your hands several times a day."

While Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the Daily Mail that people were entitled to enjoy themselves at pubs but added: "You could end up behind bars if you break the law".

He also said he would not "shirk" from shutting pubs and restaurants again, and imposing local lockdowns if needed - as has occurred in Leicester following a spike in cases.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak welcomed the reopening of businesses on a visit to The Bell & Crown in Chiswick, west London.

Mr Sunak said the hospitality sector was "a vital part of our economy and crucial to people’s livelihoods.

"Britain's pubs and bars alone employ almost half a million people - which is why it’s such good news that so many people are able to return to work this weekend, helping us all to enjoy summer safely."

  • ITV News Political Correspondent Daniel Hewitt on the relaxing of lockdown in England

Sir Keir Starmer criticised the governments messaging, however, on the easing of lockdown in England. The Labour leader told Times Radio Labour leader minister's messaging was "all over the place".

"You have had some government messaging saying go out and have a drink, other messaging saying be responsible, be cautious – the messaging, I think, has been very poor over the last few weeks," he said.

Punters meet for pints in London's Soho district as lockdown eases. Credit: PA

Meanwhile, pubs in Wales and Scotland must remain closed until later this month.

The devolved nations are lifting their own lockdown rules more slowly - but hotels, bars, restaurants and cafes in Northern Ireland reopened on Friday.

It follows stinging criticism of the UK government from the First Ministers of Wales and Scotland over the issue of quarantine for travellers returning to the country.

As pubs reopened across the border, people in Wales were reminded to continue to follow the five-mile advice and stay local this weekend.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said that while those living very close to England may be able to visit pubs that are open, it would not be possible for the majority of people in Wales.

Hairdressers were arguably even more welcomed as people queued to have a long awaited trim.

One of the first people to visit a hair salon since the nation went into lockdown has said it was nice to feel "like normal" again.

Carole Rickiby cuts the hair of customer Sandra Jacobs at Tusk Hair, in Camden, north London, after opening at midnight Credit: Jonathan Brady/PA

Sandra Jacobs was among the first people through the door at Tusk Hair in Camden on Friday night when the north London business opened its doors at midnight for the first time in three-and-a-half months.

Despite the abundance of masks, aprons and faceshields serving as a reminder of the new normal of post-Covid society, Ms Jacobs said she was just relieved to be sitting in owner Carole Rickaby’s salon chair again.

"It’s such a relief, I can’t tell you," she said.

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