Pubgoers in England face first night of 10pm curfew under new coronavirus measures

Pubgoers piled out onto the streets of Britain as the new 10pm coronavirus curfew came into effect on Thursday night.

Under the new regulations certain businesses like restaurants and pubs must close between 10pm and 5am.

This also applies to places like social clubs, casinos, bowling alleys, bingo halls, amusement arcades and other indoor leisure facilities.

When they are open they must serve customers at their tables.

Punters were pictured finishing their drinks on the streets of Soho after the bars had shut for the night on Thursday.

It comes after Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced his latest economic support package .

However, Hospitality firms hit hard by the pandemic said their hopes were “crushed” and the measures “don’t go far enough”.

The chief of pub giant Young’s, Patrick Dardis, was among leaders to criticise the new measures, saying they will “not stop businesses from laying off staff”.

Bosses said that greater support is still needed to aid the recovery of pubs, bars, restaurants and other businesses, although trade groups hailed Mr Sunak’s decision to extend VAT cuts.

He announced plans to extend a current 15% cut on VAT for hospitality and tourism firms from January until the end of March.

Mr Sunak said the extension would add around £800 million to the existing £2.5 billion cost of the measure.

The move, which maintains a VAT of 5% on food, non-alcoholic drinks and accommodation, was welcomed by industry leaders.

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