Police were called to a takeaway food event in Alsager town centre on Saturday, which attracted hundreds of customers, due to social distancing concerns.

Queues formed from outside Caster's, on Lawton Road, for the 'festive pop-up' in the courtyard down Sandbach Road South.

Groups waited near 'The Junction' in the town centre for up to an hour to collect their festive brioche bap and alcoholic drinks, but some customers had to be turned away due to food running out.

Nub News has contacted Caster's owner and head chef Bradley Lancaster to discuss Saturday's event, but we have not received a response to date.

The event has been subject to much discussion on Alsager's social media community groups, with views split on whether social distancing restrictions were observed.

One resident said: "Are we still in lockdown? Just driven around Alsager and wouldn't think so.

"What's going on at the junction? About 100 people outside drinking and not much social distancing, we can kiss Christmas goodbye this year."

However, one resident who attended the pop-up event, said: "We felt safer standing outside in the fresh air than in a supermarket."

advertisement

Another resident who came out in full support of Caster's said: "If grown adults can't social distance that isn't Caster's' fault they are doing a great thing; they can't do right for doing wrong.

"It's ridiculous and if I'm honest insulting to the owners who've done nothing but good things in the village, no one was moaning when Brad was in there until the early hours preparing free meals for the NHS staff at hospitals."

But one resident claimed: "As far as I'm concerned this is a large gathering of people. All it takes is one Covid carrier and looking at the line - 20 people or more could be infected without realising.

"We are on lockdown. This never would have been acceptable the first-time round, so why is it now? I get that small businesses are struggling, but this wouldn't even be accepted outside a major chain on the high street right now.

"If we can't meet in more than groups of six outside then this type of thing definitely encourages this to happen. If we want to try and have Christmas together, then this sort of thing should not be encouraged."

One woman said: "As a frontline NHS worker I was surprised by the queues outside Caster's.

"I get that takeaway service is allowed by our government, however when I walked past earlier, it really upset me with the folk that were queuing for a hog roast bap.

"We are in a lockdown for a reason - to save lives, not to enjoy a takeaway pint and sticky toffee pudding."

advertisement

However, a man quashed claims Caster's did not adhere to government guidelines, he said: "I was working literally across the road all day, everyone was behaving very responsibly, maintaining social distancing, a really good way to keep people's spirits up in such hard times, and as a small business finding a way to survive."

Police officers were called following reports "far too many people were drunk" and that customers were not adhering to the social distancing two metre guidelines.

A Cheshire Police spokesperson said: "Officers attended a pop-up restaurant on Lawton Road, Alsager on Saturday as part of ongoing coronavirus patrols.

"On arrival officers engaged and explained with the business who were operating a click and collect service.

"The business has been advised about coronavirus guidance and have measures in place to remind the public about social distancing."

In the seven days to November 19, Alsager West Ward had an infection rate of 176.1 per 100,000 people, which is below the national case rate average, whereas Alsager East Ward's infection rate was 229.5 which is slightly higher than the national average.

A Cheshire East Council spokesperson told Nub News: "We have been made aware of a large gathering of customers outside Caster's in Alsager and that police became involved owing to concerns about social distancing.

"The council's regulatory services team is looking into some aspects of the businesses' click and collect service on the day. At this stage we have no further comment to make."