News that Wetherspoons could escape temporary restrictions in Merseyside has caused outrage on social media, with people pointing to the “special relationship” between Boris Johnson and its founder Tim Martin.
According to the Guardian’s northern correspondent Josh Halliday ‘food-based pubs’ may be allowed to remain open while pubs and bars that don’t “substantially” serve food will have to close later this week.
Merseyside is expected to have tough restrictions imposed as part of Tier 3 measures today.
Pubs and bars are likely to be ordered to close in the six boroughs that make up the city region but Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson has said restaurants will be able to remain open until 10.30pm.
St Helens Council leader David Baines seemed to confirm Halliday’s reports, saying pubs serving “substantial meals” will be allowed to remain open.
The news has yet to be confirmed, but the reaction so far has been far from complementary:
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