BRADFORD’S bar owners are standing together following calls from the Prime Minister to avoid spaces like pubs and clubs over coronavirus fears.

Business owners held talks at The Craft Exchange on Market Street to plan for the future and potential economic impact of coronavirus.

The mental wellbeing of staff and the safety of customers was also on the agenda.

In the Downing Street conference on Monday, the prime minister warned the government needed to take a tougher stance on virus restrictions as the country approaches a “fast growth period”.

Among a number of concerned business owners, the feeling was strong.

Some will remain open while others have decided to close over the coming months.

Many are still angered that Boris Johnson continues to keep schools open but would advise the public to avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and other such social venues.

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Matt Bell, co-owner of The Craft Exchange, told the Telegraph & Argus: “It went better than expected. It was really well attended.

“We all said we are not in competition. We’re in cahoots, let’s work with each other. There was no resistance to that.

“The independent bars of Bradford are saying as things stand it’s business as usual, please come and support us.

“We’re cleaning religiously. We’ve got a great selection of products. Bradford has got a great spirit of being rebellious against the authority so let’s see that rebellion kick in.

“I would describe it as being reasonably defiant. They’ve said people should avoid going to the pubs. The government wouldn’t go as far to say pubs are to close.

“There’s some anger in what they’re saying is it’s unsafe to be in a small bar but it’s safe for 1,500 kids at school. They’re saying schools are fine but bars are dangerous.

“We just started to see the benefits of all this, the bars and clubs in Bradford had a really good feel. People were talking about Bradford as a destination night out. People were going ‘This is not what I expected’.

“Every city’s going through the same but it’s how the residents support it.”

Now, in response to fears many pubs and venues would be forced to close over losses, the chancellor announced £330bn of government-backed loans for these businesses would be made available.

In his speech, Rishi Sunak said the UK faced an “economic emergency” in the face of the pandemic.

And while it’s a step in the right direction, Matt says, it is met with a certain level of scepticism.

The Exchange owner explained: “All I can say without being political is that any governmental income should be treated with caution because the devil’s in the detail.

“It might seem like everything’s solved but you need to get under the skin of the terms and conditions.

“We need to all read the detail. It’s a developing picture.”

Step onto Ivegate and you’ll see the familiar faces continuing to visit their local.

Take the Drum Winder where manager Phil Barkley simply asks people to avoid the pub if they’re experiencing coronavirus symptoms.

He explained: “We are obviously deeply concerned about the current situation and would ask people to heed the advice that if you are showing symptoms or have been in contact with anyone who are showing symptoms then you should self isolate. We have hand sanitiser available behind the bar upon request and our rest rooms are stocked with soap at all times people should wash their hands as often as possible.

“We are monitoring the governments advice and will react as directed.”

Yesterday afternoon, he said numbers in the pub were “reasonable” and that people were taking comfort in the hygiene measures.

He added: “People are more worried that they won’t be able to come in the next few weeks.

“A lot of our customers, this is possibly the only thing on their social calendar.”

He said it could be their only contact with the outside world and the pub was trying to think of something it could do.

“It’s difficult for everybody,” he said.

When asked about the situation yesterday afternoon, Ellen Boyle, who runs the Old Crown on Ivegate, said : “It’s not fantastic we would normally be at full capacity.

“Unfortunately we are nowhere near that.

“My job has been to make people sing and dance in the city through all the austerity and the bad times. This has taken my breath away.”

The pub has an older customer base, again raising the fear that a key part of their social life will be affected as the outbreak continues.

She added that it was “nothing like normal”.