Masks taken on the chin as shoppers still fill Bolton shops

Rules have been in place for some time now that people must wear a face covering on public transport but yesterday was the first day this was required in shops ­— with Bolton taking to the new rules enthusiastically.

Shoppers could be seen across the town centre wearing a mixture of patterned fabric masks to surgical masks and plastic visors as shops grew busier and busier throughout the day.

A spokesman for Market Place, a security guard welcoming people into the centre, said: "99 per cent of people are coming in wearing masks or putting them on which is good.

"We're being asked to ask people to put a mask on if they're not wearing one but we can't force them to.

"I let them know that some shops might not let them in but I can't stop them from coming in at all.

"People who are exempt are letting me know straight away too which is helpful."

One shopper, who had taken a break to have a coffee at Klubb and Co in Market Place, which had signs saying people didn't need to wear a mask if they were sitting in said, despite fogging up his glasses, he was okay with the change.

He said: "You don't need to wear it everywhere and I don't find them that uncomfortable to wear, so I don't see the big fuss."

Another group of shoppers, who were in a short queue for M&S, said they've been wearing masks for a while but didn't understand why it had only just been made a law.

One man said: "It seems a bit silly to have just made it a law now with lockdown relaxing more, it should have come in months ago if ever, we've been wearing them for a few weeks now just to be safe."

Bolton North East MP Mark Logan posted a picture of himself on social media wearing a mask whilst visiting Carrs Pasties in the town centre.

He urged people to '"embrace the mask'" and to eat more Carrs pasties.