Border Booze Bonanza

Drinkers defy advice to stay in Scotland as travel restrictions are lifted

- Jennifer Hyland

Thirsty Scots flocked over the Border yesterday as pubs in England opened their doors for the first time in more than three months.

Revellers headed south for a tipple and bite to eat on what was dubbed Super Saturday.

Bars, restaurants and hairdressers were allowed to restart their business as the easing of the lock down continues in England.

However, in Scotland, beer gardens and al fresco dining will only be allowed from Monday and indoor pubs will remain closed until July 15.

The big reopening comes as five-mile travel restrictions were lifted in Scotland – apart from some parts of Dumfries and Galloway.

However, scores of drinkers defied warnings not to travel and descended on Carlisle in Cumbria – 10 miles south of the Border.

Customers visiting indoor pubs, restaurants and hairdressers for the first time found a range of new anti-virus measures including limited numbers, mandatory table service, protective screens and one-metre social distancing, with many restaurants operating a booking-only policy.

The Sunday Mail spoke to some Scots who had made the journey south to enjoy a “bit of normality”.

At the William Rufus JD Wetherspoons pub in Carlisle’s city centre, customers queued outside patiently.

Jim Anderson, 58, and friend Duncan Mitchell, 59, from Cambuslang, near Glasgow, caught an early train for a day out drinking. Unemployed

Jim said: “We jumped on the train from Glasgow just before 9 am and have come down for a few pints.

“We’re not too worried about the virus but we have face masks and hand gel.

“We just wanted to come down and enjoy a bit of normality again after being in lockdown for so long.