City braced for protests at Lib Dem conference

BARCLAYS bank will close its city centre branch in Sheffield on Saturday and deploy extra security staff amid fears for the safety of customers, as thousands of anti-government protesters prepare to demonstrate.

Thousands –including students, charities and community groups – are expected to protest near the Liberal Democrat conference, being held at Sheffield City Hall on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Police have already admitted the cost of security for the event could escalate to about £2m and a special fence is being built around the venue.

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As many as 1,000 officers will be on duty on Saturday when protesters are due to rally.

A spokeswoman for Barclays, understood to be the only major city centre business closing on Saturday, said it was moving operations from Pinstone Street to the Arena Square branch.

She said: “The store will be open on Friday and we will be moving operations on Saturday. We will be liaising closely with the local police and taking advice should the city centre become very busy.

“The safety of our customers and colleagues is paramount and we will be deploying extra security where appropriate.

“We apologise to customers for any inconvenience caused.”

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Police leave has been cancelled and neighbouring forces drafted in as commanders plan for all contingencies over the weekend amid fears the party’s leader, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, MP for Sheffield Hallam, will be the target of angry demonstrations against government cuts and the rise in university tuition fees.

Sheffield City Council has said the conference will benefit the city’s economy with an estimated £2.5m being brought in through spending on hotels, shops, restaurants and other activities.

John Lewis, which has a branch next to the venue, said the department store would remain open throughout the weekend.

Local managing director Lisa Williams said: “During the Liberal Democrat conference John Lewis Sheffield will be open as usual and the car park will be accessible in the normal way via the bottom of Pinstone Street, with the exit route being via Charter Square.

“While we expect the city centre to be busier than usual, access to our shop will not be affected.”