Hundreds flock to Derbyshire tourist hotspot as council chief urges people to stay away

Hundreds flocked to the village to ride their bikes and eat fish and chips and ice cream – days after the Government relaxed the coronavirus lockdown.

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People in England can now ‘drive to other destinations’, take part in ‘unlimited’ exercise and meet one person from outside their household in a public space outdoors.

But they should stay two metres apart from others who are not in their household.

Steve Manion, 30, who was passing through Matlock Bath today, said he was forced to brush shoulders with one of the bikers as everyone was so closely bunched up.

He said: “It was disgusting.

“There were bunches of people brushing up against each other eating ice cream and eating fish and chips.

“No one was adhering to any social distancing.

“There wasn’t a single mask or any PPE to be seen – some riders had balaclavas but took them off when they got off their bikes.

“It was mad.”

He added: “There was a group of people who were stood in front of a ‘thank you NHS’ sign.

“I don’t know if that was ironic or moronic.”

Peter Baranek, chair of Matlock Bath Parish Council, said: "Our lovely village does not lend itself to socially distancing safely.

"We urge anyone thinking of coming to Matlock Bath to respect and protect our village and the people who live here by staying away for now.”

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