ONLY a few revellers determined to enjoy one final night out before pubs, clubs and restaurants shut in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak ventured into Bolton town centre yesterday.
Venues normally filled with people celebrating the start of the weekend were much quieter than usual, with the main strip abandoned by 10.30pm — a time when hundreds are normally enjoying Bolton’s nightlife.
From today, pubs, clubs and restaurants have been ordered to shut in the latest measures set out by the Government in the light of covid-19.
(No cars parked on Le Mans,as Albert Halls is closed. Picture Phil Taylor)
Our photographer, Phil Taylor, who captured these pictures of an eerily quiet town centre at night, said the town all but resembled a ghost town.
He said: “Bolton has a vibrant nightlife and I expected to see the usual crowded streets, especially students given the sudden end to the term.
“Instead streets were quiet with just the homeless trying to stay warm in doorways against a biting wind, as the Winterwatch Shelter, where they would normally find a hot meal and a welcome had closed.
“With fewer people in the town centre even litter seemed absent in Victoria Square.
“In Nelson Square, normally teeming on a Friday, the scene resembled an architect’s drawing before the clip art people were added in.
“The pavements of Bradshawgate would normally be packed, but apart from a few determined folk, it looked like a ghost town.
“ Largely, door staff had little to do, except look at velvet ropes that in other circumstances would be holding back customers jostling to get in, but even the loud music spilling from the open doors was failing to attract any."
(Picture: Phil Taylor)
He added: “The usual busy taxi trade had ground to a halt, drivers waiting in line, checking their phones with few fares to be had.”
From today, pubs, bars, restaurants, café will no longer be allowed to open along with theatres, leisure centres and gyms to fight coronavirus.
The Prime Minister called on a 'national effort' to try to defeat COVID-19 to avoid 'unnecessary social contact' and 'we will be able to save lives'.
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