Walsall social club says it was not open during lockdown as video shows people outside
A social club has insisted it was not open during lockdown after videos emerged on social media which appear to show people gathered outside.
Footage has been posted online showing people sat on benches outside Birchills Liberal Club in Walsall and music playing on the bank holiday for the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
Hundreds of social media users have condemned the people sat outside the club, but the venue has now said it was not open and social distancing was in place.
A spokesman for the club said they were given permission to hang bunting, flags and put benches outside by Walsall Council, and that the door to the club was open for people to use the toilets.
He said: "The club was not open, all people seen on that poor video were family plus social distancing was in place as seen by the police.
"From that video it looks like there was no distancing but there was.
"No beer was sold or given away to anyone."
Former councillor Chris Jones drove past the venue on Friday and saw the people sat outside.
He said: "The basic rules at present are to stay at home and social gatherings are banned and you can only see family you live with.
"If you go shopping it's only one person allowed in, so I just find it bizarre how you can get it so wrong.
"All the rules are there, they're quite clear, quite plain.
"I haven't seen my grandson in 10 weeks because it's just not allowed."
A spokeswoman for West Midlands Police said: "We received a number of reports of suspected breaches of government guidelines in relation to Covid-19 on Old Birchills, Walsall on Friday. However, upon attendance by officers, no breaches were found.
"The licence holder of Birchills Liberal Club was advised on the current guidelines and further patrols that night did not raise any concerns."
Walsall Council has been asked to comment.
