Blossoms in North Street was brought to task for regularly failing to identify and implement adequate control measures associated with preventing the spread by others of coronavirus.
Capacity levels at the venue have been continually exceeded and agreed social distancing measures blatantly disregarded – causing a serious and imminent threat to public health.
The premises licence holder has also failed to fully co-operate with the police and the council.
Council officers will continue to work with the licence holder to implement a scenario where the premises can safely reopen with social distancing and other adequate control measures being in place and adhered to.
Councillor Steve Evans, Cabinet Member for City Environment, said: “The licence holder’s actions are causing a serious and imminent threat to public health.
“The closure of the premises is in response to regular and serious breaches of social distancing as well as other inadequate controls resulting in the potential spread of coronavirus.
“There is a clear need to prevent further harm to public health and to do so promptly.
“As a council, we take a zero-tolerance approach to those who flout the rules and put others at risk during such uncertain times.
“It is not acceptable for businesses to be ignoring expert advice set out by the government that has been put in place to protect the public from the virus.
“Thankfully, the vast majority of businesses are acting responsibly and abiding by the rules.
“We will continue our close partnership working with the Police and our Public Health colleagues to protect the public by clamping down on those who are selfishly putting customers and their staff at risk.”
To report an issue, please contact environmental.health@wolverhampton.gov.uk.
Wolverhampton Police Superintendent, Simon Inglis, added: “We have been working very closely with Public Health and Local Authority colleagues in recent months as they seek to protect the public during these difficult times.
“We do not make decisions to support such closure action lightly as we recognise the impact on the local economy and the wider community. However, it is absolutely clear that the way the venue is currently being run presents a significant risk to public health and preventing further harm has to take priority.
“We will fully support the Local Authority in ensuring the premises remain closed at this time and are happy to provide support and advice if the premises licence holder wishes to re-open in the future in a way that is fully compliant with the regulations.
“Our wider message to those licensed premises that may be currently flouting the regulations is that we will continue to work closely with Local Authority and Public Health colleagues and will be happy to support further such action if regulations continue to be breached.”
Pubs, restaurants and bars should:
- record customers’ details so that NHS Test and Trace can contact them in the event of an outbreak
- ensure customers only socialise in groups of up to two households (including support bubbles) indoors, or in groups of no more than six people from different households outdoors
- ensure staff and customers are able to practice regular handwashing and good hygiene
- notify the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Public Health team by emailing healthprotection@wolverhampton.gov.uk and Public Health England by calling 0344 225 3560 and choosing option 0 and then option 2 if two or more members of staff test positive for Covid-19.
Businesses which would like support in implementing the latest Covid-19 guidance should contact the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Trade With Confidence team on 01902 552079 or via tradewithconfidence.food@wolverhampton.gov.uk.
People with symptoms of Covid-19, no matter how mild, should immediately self-isolate and book a test by visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or calling 119. Symptoms to watch out for include a fever, a new, continuous cough and loss or change to a person’s sense of taste and smell.
Anyone who tests positive for Covid-19 will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace and will be asked to share information about people that have been close contacts recently.
The latest information and guidance around coronavirus is available at www.gov.uk/coronavirus and on the council’s own coronavirus pages at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/coronavirus. There’s lots of advice on how people can protect themselves and their families from coronavirus from the NHS at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.
The council’s Stay Safe, Be Kind campaign offers clear and simple advice about how people can help themselves, and how they can support others who may be particularly vulnerable at this time. For more information, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/stay-safe-be-kind.
