Party-goers celebrate end of lockdown as nightclubs reopen from midnight

19 July 2021, 07:39 | Updated: 19 July 2021, 15:48

People celebrated the reopening of nightclubs at midnight.
People celebrated the reopening of nightclubs at midnight. Picture: PA

By Emma Soteriou

Thousands of people last night celebrated the reopening of nightclubs as lockdown restrictions were lifted from midnight.

Party-goers around the country described the midnight reopening as being "like New Year" while queuing for their favourite venues.

Clubs had been shut since March 2020 due to the pandemic.

At Egg nightclub in North London, fundraiser Chloe Waite, 37 - who was first in line - said: "It's going to be a special night."

"For me this is a New Year's-type event and something we're going to remember for a long, long time and we might not get the opportunity for a while."

Read more: Freedom Day: Most lockdown restrictions lift in England

Read more: James O'Brien caller 'absolutely terrified' as 'Freedom Day' looms

Dancers across the country queued in anticipation for clubs to reopen their doors.
Dancers across the country queued in anticipation for clubs to reopen their doors. Picture: PA
The momentous occasion was marked by the cutting of a ribbon.
The momentous occasion was marked by the cutting of a ribbon. Picture: PA
Party-goers danced along with their friends to mark the occasion.
Party-goers danced along with their friends to mark the occasion. Picture: PA

DJ Patrick Topping - who appeared at Digital nightclub in Newcastle - told LBC: "Just to see clubs are open again - it's a buzz."

"It's what I do, it's what I love, so it's just amazing seeing all the people here and everyone was going mental before."

Crowds took to the dance floor at The Piano Works in London
Crowds took to the dance floor at The Piano Works in London. Picture: PA
The drinks were flowing throughout the opening night.
The drinks were flowing throughout the opening night. Picture: PA
There were smiles all around as crowds made their way back to the dance floor.
There were smiles all around as crowds made their way back to the dance floor. Picture: PA

People in Leeds eagerly awaited the opening of Bar Fibre too.

The bar's owner, Terry George, said that the evening before had been labelled 'Freedom Eve'.

"It feels so special," he said.

"People are treating it like a very special occasion, like a New Year's Eve type affair. Freedom Eve is what we're calling it.

"Finally, we're going to be able to dance. That's the biggest thing, which is kind of a little bit sad really, because we're given back something that's our given right, to be able to dance in a bar, in a club.

"It should've been something that was there much earlier than this."

Read more: PM admits he 'briefly' considered not self-isolating but now will until 26 July

"Tomorrow is not 'Freedom Day' for the NHS and key workers."

It comes as 19 July marks the unlocking of the country in step four of its roadmap out of lockdown.

'Freedom Day' also saw the lifting of legal requirements such as wearing faces masks and social distancing.

That said, the government has introduced guidelines to ensure the public move forward with caution in coming weeks.

In a video shared on Twitter, Boris Johnson urged "prudence and respect for other people" as restrictions continue to ease.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Sara Sharif had suffered dozens of injuries in the weeks leading up to her death, a court has heard

Video of Sara Sharif smiling and dancing 'days before murder' shown to court

Transport for London (TfL) has warned passengers that no Tube services are expected on Thursday 7 November

November Tube strikes to bring London to a halt this week despite RMT calling off action

Stuart Gogg during the Six Nations rugby match between France and Scotland in Saint-Denis, 26 February 2023

Former Scotland rugby captain pleads guilty to domestic abuse over five-year period against former partner

Kie Joyce, 21, was sentenced for his role in at least 35 phone thefts.

WATCH: Moment phone snatchers are arrested in London chicken shop after spree of thefts

One of two assassination attempts made towards the former President was carried out in Pennsylvania

Trump says he would not 'mind' if journalists were shot at Pennsylvania rally

A 10-year-old girl who was mauled to death by her family's dog had a 'close, loving relationship' with the pet that killed her, police have said.

'Devastated' family pay tribute to 'wonderful' 10-year-old girl mauled to death by pet dog

Trump has been fixated on crowd sizes throughout this election cycle

Trump's latest crowd size brag backfires as camera pans to reveal sea of empty seats

Harris overtakes Trump in new polls as VP's rally is moved due to safety concerns on eve of 'knife-edge' US election

Harris overtakes Trump in new polls as VP's rally is moved due to safety concerns on eve of 'knife-edge' US election

Tuition fees are set to rise with inflation

Government set to increase university tuition fees for first time in eight years

Kris Finney has been missing since Thursday

British man missing in Tenerife not seen for three days as Foreign Office issues statement

A 'severed head' was discovered in Edinburgh’s Old Town.

Partygoers mistook severed head for Halloween prank after 74-year-old man 'decapitated' in 'tragic' Edinburgh incident

Barcelona issued with 'extreme danger' flood warning - as fresh rain leaves airport submerged and flights cancelled

Barcelona issued with 'extreme danger' flood warning - as fresh rain leaves airport submerged and flights cancelled

Police have launched an appeal to find missing artist Sarah Cunningham after she vanished in the early hours of Saturday in Camden.

Police searching for missing artist Sarah Cunningham find body on tracks

Deliveroo reveals its most ordered dishes with chicken wings, Caesar salads and a whole cucumber leading the list

Deliveroo reveals its most ordered dishes with chicken wings, Caesar salad and a whole cucumber leading the list

Coco Gauff performs in front of a small crowd at the WTA finals in Saudia Arabia

Tim Henman hits out at ‘disappointing’ crowd after 400 watch women’s finals in Saudi Arabia

Dr Florian Willet, president of Sarco operator The Last Resort, and the suicide pod

First person to use Sarco 'suicide pod' heard three chilling words before death