Celtic and Rangers fans urged not to travel to Blackpool to watch Saturday's Old Firm derby

Blackpool is bracing itself for an influx of Scottish football fans this weekend, with Celtic and Rangers supporters planning to visit the resort's pubs to watch the Glasgow derby match.
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The 'Old Firm' derby will kick-off at 12.30pm on Saturday (October 17), but with Scottish pubs closed for lockdown, supporters have voiced plans to travel to Blackpool instead.

Celtic and Rangers fans have reportedly reached out to pubs and bars in the resort, but venues have been warned ahead of the match that the rule of six will be strictly enforced by Blackpool's police and licensing teams.

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And a Rangers pub popular, The Gallant Pioneer in Station Road, has decided to close after receiving more than 1,500 booking requests from Scottish football fans. You can read more about the pub's decision to close in our report here.

It follows a plea from Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon yesterday (October 14), urging fans not to travel to the resort to watch this weekend's fixture during the ongoing pandemic.

Speaking at the Scottish Government's coronavirus briefing on Wednesday, Sturgeon said at least 180 people in Scotland who tested positive for coronavirus in the last month reported a recent trip to Blackpool.

She said: "If you were thinking about going to Blackpool and haven't booked, please do not go. Please do not travel to Blackpool this weekend to see the Old Firm match.

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"Even more specifically, because we know this is an issue and I want to be very clear about this - do not travel to Blackpool this weekend to watch the Old Firm match in a pub.

Scott Sinclair of Celtic (now playing for Preston North End) converts the penalty to score his side's second goal during the Scottish Cup Semi-Final match between Celtic and Rangers at Hampden Park on April 23, 2017. Pic credit: Mark Runnacles/Getty ImagesScott Sinclair of Celtic (now playing for Preston North End) converts the penalty to score his side's second goal during the Scottish Cup Semi-Final match between Celtic and Rangers at Hampden Park on April 23, 2017. Pic credit: Mark Runnacles/Getty Images
Scott Sinclair of Celtic (now playing for Preston North End) converts the penalty to score his side's second goal during the Scottish Cup Semi-Final match between Celtic and Rangers at Hampden Park on April 23, 2017. Pic credit: Mark Runnacles/Getty Images

"I need to advise you that trips to Blackpool are now associated with a large and growing number of Covid cases in Scotland.

"Blackpool is being mentioned in Test and Protect conversations far more than any other location outside of Scotland."

Lancashire Police said they are aware of plans by some supporters to travel to the resort, with the force saying it is working closely with Police Scotland and Blackpool Council ahead of the Glasgow derby clash.

Read More
Rangers pub in Blackpool forced to close after receiving '1,500' booking request...
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard celebrates victory at final whistle during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match at Celtic Park on Sunday December 29, 2019. Credit: Jeff Holmes/PA WireRangers manager Steven Gerrard celebrates victory at final whistle during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match at Celtic Park on Sunday December 29, 2019. Credit: Jeff Holmes/PA Wire
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard celebrates victory at final whistle during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match at Celtic Park on Sunday December 29, 2019. Credit: Jeff Holmes/PA Wire
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A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: "We are aware that some people may be planning to travel to Blackpool this weekend to watch the Old Firm game between Rangers and Celtic and we are working closely with our colleagues at Police Scotland and partners in licensing at the local authority.

"We remain in the midst of a pandemic and current restrictions state that in areas of high Covid alert status no one must mix indoors with anyone who they do not live with (or have formed a support bubble with).

"We would ask that people do the right thing to protect themselves and others.

"We’ll continue to engage with people and explain the rules, but we do want to be clear that we will enforce them where we need to, especially around repeat offenders, significant gatherings and people who deliberately flout the regulations and put others at risk.

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"Our officers will continue to be out and about and very visible – please remember we are here to keep everyone safe."

Blackpool Council said it is also aware of Scottish football fans planning to visit the resort at the weekend, but it has said the resort is still open for business.

But it says it wants to remind visitors from Scotland, and elsewhere in the UK, that they should only be coming to the resort with those they live with. It adds that visitors should not be mixing at all with those from different households when in Blackpool.

A council spokesman said: "Blackpool has long had an association with visitors from Scotland, in excess of 1 million visitors from Scotland enjoy Blackpool and all its attractions every year.

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"The rate of COVID 19 in Blackpool currently stand at 218 per 100,000 which is one the lowest in the North West of England, and is also lower than parts of Scotland.

"As mentioned by The First Minister, evidence suggests that many of these current cases are linked to coach parties and coach travel. We are asking everyone not to travel when they are symptomatic.

"We are also reminding everyone when visiting Blackpool people should only be coming with those they live with. Households should not be mixing at all when in Blackpool.

"Evidence across the country suggests that the virus is spreading most quickly within social groups, which is why it is essential that people act in a COVID secure way when they are here.

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"We get 18 million visitors a year to Blackpool and have not seen outbreaks in the rest of the UK from visitors to Blackpool, nor are we experiencing outbreaks within our tourism businesses.

"Blackpool has stringent COVID secure measures in place. The council visits its hotels, venues and attractions on a regular basis to ensure all are COVID compliant.

"Blackpool was one of the first places in the country to establish a team of 60 COVID stewards. Their job is to ensure people are socially distancing, wearing face masks, alleviating pinch points in queues and advising and supporting the public and businesses.

"We want everyone to stay safe in Blackpool and urge people to follow our local restrictions, wash hands regularly, wear a mask and stay 2 metres apart when possible”.

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Licensed premises in the central belt of Scotland – covering the Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Arran, Lothian and Forth Valley areas – are closed due to tighter coronavirus restrictions.

Both teams are unbeaten so far in the Scottish Premiership, with Steven Gerrard's Rangers holding a one-point lead at the top of the table over Celtic, who have played one game less.

Celtic F.C. and Rangers F.C. have also been approached for comment.

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