Revellers brave rain to hit Leeds pubs as many enjoy their first night out since easing of lockdown
At least they’re allowed indoors! Revellers brave rain to hit pubs and bars in Leeds as many enjoy their first night out since easing of Covid rules
- Pub-goers enjoyed their new freedom by toasting the return of inside of pubs and restaurants across the UK
- Pictures show people flocking to pubs and bars while doing their best to avoid the downpours of rain
- Bars can now open indoor seating areas to welcome back groups of up to six people, or two households
Revellers across the country were spotted braving the rain in their hordes in the first week UK lockdown rules were relaxed to allow people inside at pubs and bars.
Pub-goers enjoyed their new freedom by toasting the return of pubs and restaurants as new Covid rules now mean people are allowed to eat and drink inside as well as outside.
Pictures show people flocking to pubs and bars while doing their best to avoid the downpours of rain with some desperately holding pieces of clothing over their heads.
Pubs and bars in England can now open indoor seating areas to welcome back groups of up to six people, or two households.
Drinkers hit the streets in Newcastle, London, Leeds and other cities across the UK to see their friends after months of lockdown.
Gleeful women were spotted dressed to the nines as many enjoyed their first night out since the easing of lockdown rules began in April.
Persistent rain fails to dampen the enthusiasm of revellers in Newcastle as the first weekend since the lifting of covid restrictions rolls into view
A man was spotted carrying his female companion during heavy showers in Newcastle last night
Revellers dressed up in high-vis jackets were spotted having fun in a takeaway shop in Newcastle
Women dolled up with feather boas were seen braving the rain in Newcastle to hit bars and pubs
Other revellers wearing fancy dress were spotted having a fun night out in Newcastle despite the rain
Men were spotted in more casual attire with some getting into the spirit by dressing in yellow high-vis jackets for fun.
Some brought back old-fashioned chivalry and were seen carrying female companions through the lashing rain.
And bar-hoppers weren’t discouraged by the dismal weather as the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning with gusts of up to 60mph expected in Wales and southern England.
More showers are expected to continue today and into the weekend with low temperatures of 5C in the North and Scotland.
Chief Meteorologist Dan Suri said: ‘The low pressure system moving in from the west is going to bring some heavy rain across much of the UK from Thursday and into Friday. With wind looking to be strongest in southern coastal areas, as well as Wales, there’s a chance of some disruption to travel plans and potential damage to temporary structures, such as tents and marquees.’
However sunny spells are due to brighten parts of the country from Tuesday, though they will be interspersed with rain showers.
A group of people wearing matching hoodies and a woman in a high-vis jacket stopped to pose for pictures during their night out last night
Two women are seen doing their best to avoid the rain as one holds up her black fluffy jacket to protect her hair
A woman who appears to have sat down in the rain is carried by her male companion in Newcastle
Party-goers in fancy dress stop to take pictures in the rainy streets of Newcastle during their night out
A group of dolled up women stop of pose for pictures during their night out in rainy Newcastle last night
A chivalrous man in Leeds was spotted carrying his female companion through the rain during a night out
Two women were spotted braving chilly temperatures and the rain while enjoying a night out in Leeds
It comes as hundreds of homes have been left without power after 85mph gales struck the UK overnight ahead of a weekend washout as four inches of rain threaten flash floods and strong winds look set to bring more chaos.
The unpredictable late spring weather has left nearly 600 homes near Swansea, 100 near Leicester and over 200 near Leeds without electricity after howling winds brought trees crashing down on to power cables.
The Met Office has warned that the miserable weather will continue with the wettest parts of the UK likely to be parts of Wales, especially over the higher ground, as well as Cumbria where 24-hour totals will exceed 50mm (2 inches) and could even reach 100mm (4 inches) on some of the exposed hills.
There are currently six flood alerts in place across the UK with a yellow wind warning for southern England and most of Wales, issued by the Met Office at 3pm yesterday, remaining as the fierce gusts sweep eastwards.
The low pressure system crossing the country is expected to head out into the North Sea tonight – leaving showers for the weekend.
Hundreds of homes have been left without power after 85mph gales struck the UK overnight ahead of a weekend washout as four inches of rain threaten flash floods and strong winds look set to bring more chaos. Pictured: People buffeted by the wind whilst crossing the Millenium Bridge, London, this morning
Forecasters have urged homeowners to tie down outdoor furniture amid concern that temporary structures could be affected, such as marquees set up as Covid vaccination centres and pergolas in pub beer gardens. Pictured: Car damaged by a falling tree in Dorchester
The Met Office is warning of travel disruption, a risk tree of branches being toppled by the winds and a danger of temporary structures such as outdoor gazebos being blown away. Pictured: Fallen trees in Dulwich (left) and Bermondsey (right)
Forecasters have urged homeowners to tie down outdoor furniture amid concern that temporary structures could be affected, such as marquees set up as Covid vaccination centres and pergolas in pub beer gardens.
All Covid restrictions are expected to be lifted in June and even nightclubs are due to be reopened.
Meanwhile, the latest figures show Britain’s coronavirus cases are continuing to drop five weeks after lockdown was eased on April 12.
Just seven Covid deaths were recorded yesterday – meaning the daily number of deaths has fallen by more than a third in a week.
Some 2,874 positive testes were recorded and the national case rate has remained stable since April.
Meanwhile, latest data shows another 635,000 Covid vaccine doses were administered on Wednesday, with 265,000 Britons coming forward for their first appointment and 370,000 for their second.
It means 37.2million people have received one injection — the equivalent of more than 70 per cent of all adults — and 21.2m are fully inoculated.
One woman takes a break from the evening’s festivities in rainy Newcastle last night
Restaurant-goers enjoy their night under an awning in Soho, central London
People were spotted eating and drinking in Soho, central London while trying to stay out of the rain
Two women dressed to the nines were spotted skipping down the street in Leeds
A group of party-goers stops to pose for pictures during a rainy night out in Leeds
Two women walk down a rain Leeds street during a night out after lockdown rules were eased
One woman clutches her umbrella as the rain starts pouring down again in Leeds
Two people were spotted taking advantage of eateries opening up as they chowed down on some ribs in Leeds
A man was spotted carrying his female companion through the rain-soaked streets of Leeds
It means Britons have been able to flock to pubs, bars and restaurants and other non-essential retailers after they reopened their doors last month.
There had been fears that the easing in the rules would see a spike in cases and deaths but, so far, this has not happened.
Leading scientists are calling on the Government to remove all coronavirus restrictions and allow people to ‘take back control of their own lives’ when the ‘roadmap’ to freedom ends in June.
With real-world data showing vaccines reduce the risk of death by 98 per cent and hospitalisations by more than 80 per cent, the experts say Covid-19 is being turned into a ‘mild’ disease in Britain, akin to the flu.
In an open letter to The Mail on Sunday, they criticise ‘confused and contradictory’ messages from Ministers and scientific advisers about the virus, which they say are exaggerating the real threat.
One study, presented to the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, found that out of 42,788 people who needed hospital treatment for Covid since December, only 32 were admitted three weeks or more after having their first dose.
