BRITS hit the town for the first night of Friday fun since the Covid lockdown ended.
As revellers in England began their night on the town at 6pm, drinkers in Wales were kicked out of bars and pubs adhering to strict new rules.
Pictures from England showed Brits enjoying their first Friday night since the lockdown ended earlier in the week.
Streets in London were packed with boozers enjoying their first taste of freedom.
Londoners kicked off the start of the festive season by cramming into bars across the city.
Heated outdoor areas were constructed to accommodate punters enjoying the end of lockdown.
England came out of a four-week lockdown on December 2 which forced all non-essential businesses to close including bars and restaurants.
Since Wednesday England returned to a tier-based system which meant the end of the shutdown and allowed places to reopen.
Across all tiers, all shops and public buildings can reopen.
All areas have to abide by the government’s message of hands, face, space with Brits facing new rules day-to-day which are expected to last until the end of March.
However, in Wales, Brits were forced to leave bars and pubs as strict lockdown rules require them to shut at 6pm.
Punters flocked to streets to enjoy a final festive nightcap before tough curbs were slapped on boozers.
In Cardiff groups of mates were seen walking from pub to pub in a bid to enjoy what was left of their night before last orders.
Pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes will have to close at 6pm daily from today in Wales – and they will be banned from selling booze.
Last night in Swansea, youngsters ventured out in high heels and dresses – despite the chilly December weather.
There was a strong police presence in Swansea to ensure social distancing remained in place across the city.
Just weeks after Wales’ 17-day long “firebreak” lockdown, the tough new curbs will see pubs, cafes and restaurants close doors at 6pm with a complete ban on selling booze.
Hospitality venues will still be allowed to sell takeaways after 6pm.
Cinemas, bingo halls, bowling alleys, soft play centres, casinos and skating rinks are also forced to shut in Wales in a bid to curb the virus.
The move is expected to hit businesses hard just before the Christmas rush.
In England Pubs and shops prepare for a £1.5billion spending spree tomorrow – the first non-working day since lockdown ended.
High streets will be the busiest they have been all year — as the NHS prepares to take delivery of two million vaccine doses by the end of next week.
Shoppers are expected back in huge numbers on the first weekend following a month of lockdown.
More than 300,000 people are due in London’s West End, 150,000 at Birmingham’s Bullring and 120,000 at Manchester’s Trafford Centre.
Retail chiefs urged them to shop responsibly — with extended opening hours giving more time and opportunity to socially distance.
They also stressed that every pound spent helps protect jobs and support local communities.
The Campaign for Real Ale’s Tom Stainer said: “The Great British pub needs the great British public in its hour of need.”
