A West Bridgford bar which had previously been fined on three occasions for breaking COVID-19 rules has been closed until further notice for a further breach that saw customers mix in groups, not socially distance and seven individuals later record positive cases.
Rushcliffe Borough Council have worked with Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottinghamshire Police to close the doors of Zinc on Central Avenue in the town today (October 9) having allowed multiple groups to congregate on the premises, just a day after its latest fine on September 25.
It continued to receive complaints from concerned members of the public which was confirmed after officers from the Council’s Environmental Health Team witnessed CCTV of customers entering the premises in large groups and being unchallenged by the business.
People were also seen freely mixing between groups and shaking hands. Seven members of one of the groups later tested positive for Coronavirus.
It prompted the Council to seek immediate closure of the premises for a month for the serious and imminent risk to health the business was posing and continued evidence of non-compliance with the regulations.
It was also handed a £2,000 fine and its operation as a business will now be reviewed on a weekly basis.
Director of Public Health for Nottinghamshire Jonathan Gribbin said: “The bar’s operations pose a serious and imminent risk to the health of their customers, staff and the wider community.
“We will not hesitate to take action against businesses which do not fully comply with regulations for keeping people safe. Now, more than ever, residents need to be vigilant and follow measures in place to help reduce the spread of infection.”
Council officers issued a £1,000 fine to the bar on September 25 for failing to put measures in place to record customer details for NHS track and trace purposes in accordance with statutory requirements, a day before the latest breach occurred.
They had previously been served two lower fines for allowing customers to consume food and drink on the premises in breach of their takeaway during earlier lockdown measures.
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods Cllr Rob Inglis said: “Good compliance is good business and the bar’s owners have shown the opposite of this with a staggering irresponsibility to not operate in a COVID secure environment and protect their customers.
“It meant we had no option but to take this action despite our teams continuing to provide them with the advice and support since COVID arrived and after its first, second and third fines.
“We continue to work with bar, restaurant and hospitality business owners on the guidelines and have visited over 230 hospitality businesses in recent weeks to help them adapt to laws and the vast majority are doing a great job.
“We want to support them wherever we can to operate but we will not tolerate complacency when it comes to regulations that are designed to protect the health of our residents.
“It’s hugely important that businesses remain diligent and implement all necessary measures to keep their premises secure for customers and help tackle the rising number of cases.”
Nottinghamshire Police Neighbourhood Inspector Craig Berry added this is the second pub to be shut down in the last couple of weeks in the county after similar action was taken at the Queen’s Head in Broxtowe last month due to people deliberately flouting the rules.
He said: “This shows as a partnership we will not hesitate to take action and swiftly
“With the numbers rising as quickly and sharply as they right across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire it is even more important that people stick to the rules. We all have an incredibly important responsibility to adhere to the Coronavirus regulations to prevent the spread of the disease.
“Pubs, bars and restaurants must comply with the protocols set by the Government as a matter of public safety and we will not stand for persistent breaches of the regulations in our city and county.
“Despite prior warning, Zinc persistently failed to follow the rules and this is unacceptable, and we will continue to take action against license holders that think they can act outside of the rules.
“I would encourage anyone who sees people ignoring the regulations in their area to report it to Nottinghamshire Police as soon as possible on 101.”
The wider support for all business owners is continually updated at www.rushcliffe.gov.uk and currently there should be no more than six people at a table, only table service is permitted with no service in bar areas and consumers should not mix between tables.
The Council are asking residents to play their part by downloading the app at https://covid19.nhs.uk/ when they visit hospitality and public venues.
They are also asked to ensure a member of staff at each premise always asks for details, or if they are not requested, to inform the authority by emailing envhealth@rushcliffe.gov.uk
