Two pubs served with closure notices
Poster information
Posted on: Monday 12 October 2020
Two pubs in Bridgend county borough ordered to close at the weekend for failing to minimise the risk of exposure to coronavirus on the premises have now had their closure notices lifted.
The Five Bells Pub in Ewenny Road, Bridgend, and the Mackworth Arms in High Street, Laleston, were both issued with Premises Closure Notices on Saturday, which can run for up to 14 days.
Enforcement officers said those responsible for the pubs failed in their duty to minimise the risk of exposure to coronavirus and the spread of Covid-19, by allowing an individual, known to have tested positive for the virus, on to the premises at a time when they were required to self-isolate.
As the time during which the individual should have been in self-isolation has now elapsed, the closure notices were lifted on Monday, October 12.
Enforcement officers are able to close premises immediately by issuing closure notices where there has been a sufficiently serious breach in regulations.
Premises Closure Notices are always a last resort and a reflection of the risk that the premises presents to residents within the county borough.
Our Shared Regulatory Services continue to offer advice on compliance to all businesses. The vast majority of business are following that advice which is reflected in the low number of enforcement interventions that have taken place in the borough.
Following an issue in the Garw valley at the end of September, our enforcement officers have revisited certain premises which are now much improved.
Councillor Dhanisha Patel, whose portfolio includes Shared Regulatory Services
Premises Improvement Notices specify the measures that need to be taken in order to meet the regulations within a certain time limit, usually 48 hours.
If the premises fail to comply, enforcement officers can issue a Premises Closure Notice, requiring the premises, or part of it, to be closed for up to 14 days.
In some circumstances, enforcement officers will also be able to close the premises immediately without having served an improvement notice, but this would only be where there has been a sufficiently serious breach of regulations.