1 week Ago
It’s hard to believe, but it’s been five years since the UK went into lockdown. As Covid-19 spread throughout the country, the first lockdown was announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on March 23, 2020, and came into full force on March 26. These images show an eerily-empty Brighton and Hove on that first day of lockdown, five years ago.
The Argus reported at the time: “Aside from a handful of shoppers, Churchill Square shopping centre at the heart of the city was deserted. “Outside, two friends sat having lunch on different benches, chatting across the divide as they ate sandwiches. “Elsewhere, Queen’s Road was empty as police officers guarded Brighton Station.
” According to the contemporary report, pharmacies were one of the only places where people gathered in significant numbers. “A queue of customers waiting to get into Boots in North Road, all standing several feet apart, were some of the only people in the city centre at lunchtime”, the article noted. “A few other shops are also open, including Specsavers opticians in North Road, where staff are offering a counter service at the door for urgent medical problems.
” READ NEXT: Plans to convert seafront hotel into student accommodation approved The majority of shops had not opened for business on that historic day. Non-essential shops were not allowed to reopen until June 15. “Many places have shut their doors in the middle of the week possibly for the first time since they opened.
“Brighton seafront was also notably less busy, with people making sure they walk two metres apart from others.” Five years ago today. In one way, it feels like only yesterday; in another, it seems a lifetime.
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