An eerie silence in the centre of Blackpool's shopping area. The tower looms over the quiet streets in April 2020An eerie silence in the centre of Blackpool's shopping area. The tower looms over the quiet streets in April 2020
An eerie silence in the centre of Blackpool's shopping area. The tower looms over the quiet streets in April 2020

28 bleak scenes showing the empty streets of Blackpool as lockdown hit

When Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced to the nation that we must stay at home to slow the spread of coronavirus, Blackpool – like the rest of the country – fell quiet.

It’s two years ago since that announcement came - a moment which completely changed life as we knew it. And what a contrast it was. The streets became deserted and an eerie stillness fell. Buses were empty, shutters were down on shop windows and the laughter of children faded away as parks were shut. Our photographers were there to capture it all on camera as these photos show.