Pub investigated after crowds line street for lockdown reopening
The local council is investigating a pub in Coventry after pictures showed crowds waiting outside at midnight for its reopening.
A long queue of people arrived at The Oak Inn, near Coventry university, as coronavirus restrictions eased in England overnight.
Videos posted on social media showed more than 100 people lining the street after it advertised plans to open its large outdoor space with heaters, marquees and blankets.
While images of crowds in the venue’s garden appeared to show them well spaced and following the national guidance of no more than six per table, the social distancing seemed not to be enforced in the queue outside.
A Coventry City Council spokeswoman confirmed the pub was under investigation.
She said: ‘People are beginning to enjoy the easing of restrictions and with the city beginning to reopen non-essential shops and hospitality venues from today, we would like to remind everyone about the importance of following the rules.
‘This includes social distancing and staying two metres apart, wearing face coverings in public and washing hands regularly when visiting hospitality venues.’
The spokeswoman added: ‘We will be investigating any venue reported to not be following these rules or having difficulties with large queues or unmanageable amounts of visitors.”
Darren Lee, owner of the Oak Inn, said he could not respond to the council as it had not yet contacted him, but said he believed the venue had worked within the rules.
‘We always do things safely and properly … we were able to get outside as per the national guidelines,’ he said.
A post on the venue’s Facebook page ahead of opening read: ‘So excited to be welcoming everyone back just after midnight tonight until 6am. No booking necessary … first come, first served!’
The scenes came as Boris Johnson urged the public to ‘behave responsibly’ as pubs, shops and a range of leisure venues were allowed to reopen with social distancing measures in place for the first time this year.
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