NEWCASTLE
Landlords Michael and Angela Barnes expect “a typical family Christmas”. Angela, 56, said: “There are eight of us …over two households so luckily we fit within the allowance.” Michael, 55, said: “We own a pub so we disagree entirely with the rules. To lift the rules in the name of Christmas while so many people are out of work… seems wrong. We can only look forward to making the grandkids happy.”
LEEDS
Food stall owner Michael Pratt, 44, says the plan is a boost. The dad of two said: “People desperately needed something good. How many parents, grandparents and children will be happy?” But Elizabeth Blignaut, 64, said: “There’s no point to these five days if it means we will be in another lockdown.
“I have angered my own sons…because I will not see them.” Barbara Wilgeroth, 67, has cancer: “I have been shielding all year and I will spend Christmas alone.”
BIRMINGHAM
Ex-miner Jay Austin, 70, is looking forward to meeting his fireman son and grandson: “It’s great I’ll be able to see them.”
BRISTOL
Judith Lobo, 68, hopes to see her family: “We haven’t made any plans yet. We’ll just have to wait and see.”
While Gary Mockridge, 69, says he and his wife “are very nervous. We might just stay at home. The more you keep separate, the less chance there is of a third spike.”
