The same day the pubs reopened again, one was shut down as police found no social distancing was going on and the owner was ‘intoxicated and argumentative’.

Number One Bar in Darlington was temporarily closed on July 4 when officers decided staff were not in control of how customers were behaving.

Durham Constabulary also temporarily closed The Wheatsheaf pub in Chilton, blaming ‘irresponsible behaviour’ at the two venues.

A closure notice at the Number One Bar said: ‘When officers arrived at the premises the music was too loud and there was no social distancing taking place.

‘Customers were stood up at the bar, when staff were spoken to by officers, the staff stated that customers would not listen to their instructions and effectively could not control what was taking place in the premises. The bar owner was intoxicated and argumentative.

‘He did not seem aware of the guidelines and was certainly not adhering to them.’

The bar’s Facebook page said it had reopened for business by Monday evening.

Chief Inspector Neal Bickford said: ‘We want to say a massive thank you to those responsible establishments who complied with all the regulations to allow people to have a safe and enjoyable trip back to the pub.

‘We know it has been a tough three months for both businesses and revellers so it was great to see the vast majority of people working with us.

‘We will always look to work with those who need to improve but unfortunately two premises did have to be closed on Saturday following unacceptable behaviour.’

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