Praise for Chesterfield pub after massive numbers turn up on first Saturday after lockdown

Trevor Marples, joint owner of the Spotted Frog, on Chatsworth Road, said the sheer number of people on the first Saturday after lockdown restrictions eased brought ‘numerous challenges’.

However, he thanked the vast majority of customers, and his staff, for being ‘brilliant’.

MORE: Police seize 90 bottles of beer and clear up broken glass after busy night in north Derbyshire town

"Whilst we hoped and knew to a degree it was going to be busy, the volume of people through the doors was massive,” Mr Marples said.

“This bought with it numerous challenges, but overall, the response by the large majority was brilliant, as was the work by, all, of our staff.

“We were commended by the relevant authorities for what we have done and are doing.”

The Spotted Frog has transformed its outdoor drinking areas to provide up to 250 seats in ‘beach huts’.

They each feature their own TVs, heaters, Wi-Fi and USB connections for customers to enjoy.

Derbyshire police said today there were no ‘significant’ incidents over the first reopening weekend and praised drinkers for being responsible.

A spokesperson for Derbyshire Constabulary said: “We didn’t experience any significant incidents over the weekend.

"We did have additional officers on duty as we expected to see a rise in people visiting beauty spots and of course licensed premises but on the whole, people took the opportunity to enjoy the sunny weekend responsibly."

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