AFTER the violent clashes in the street on Saturday, the English Defence League (EDL) plans to return to Worcester in September for another protest.

Around 30 members of the EDL marched through the city centre on Saturday to protest against plans for a new mosque in Worcester, leading to violent battled with residents who opposed the views of the far-right group.

Yesterday, a message on the EDL's Facebook page said: “The English Defence League will be returning to Worcester and holding a national demo on September 1. More details will be announced at a later date.”

Three city centre pubs closed on Saturday to prevent the EDL meeting there, and in the end members of the group gathered at The Cricketers in Angel Street before setting off on their march.

Alison Sheehy, 33, licensee at The Cricketers in Angel Street, said staff allowed the EDL members inside the pub because they were unaware of their reason for being in Worcester.

“We opened because we had table bookings and had to honour our customers," she said. "Although we did close from 1.30pm to 5pm due to the protest.

“We didn’t know the march was going to happen – there was no warning.”

Staff at A Write Card in Broad Street watched as the EDL and counter-protesters clashed in Broad Street, with police trying to hold the rival groups apart.

The manager at the greetings card shop, Nicky Francis, 44, told the Worcester News: “EDL took a lot of flak. From what we saw in here, it seemed there was a lot of trouble coming from the other group.

“The brunt of it happened right outside and we were smack bang in the middle of it all. It was unnerving for the staff as it was loud, and you didn’t know what was going to happen next.

“We were told by the police to lock ourselves in and take everyone inside. The police did a really good job. They kept everyone safe.

“It was like something you would watch on the TV, not what you expect to happen on your doorstep. You certainly wouldn’t have wanted to bring your kids out.

“It affected us as we lost a lot of trade on that day. We only closed for about half an hour to forty-five minutes.

“If they come back I hope they do it outside another shop next time.”

Another manager at A Write Card, Becky Pritchard, 46, who was not working on the day, added: “I have seen videos from both sides and to me they were both as bad as each other.

“I think it’s disgusting that all over social media the EDL are getting the blame for it all. It’s a joke. Everyone has a right to voice their opinion.”

During the march and counter-protest, two police officers were injured in the protests and one EDL supporter suffered a cut on his face.

Three people were arrested for minor public order offences during the protest.