Two Sheffield businesses which were ignoring lockdown rules have been forced to close

Two Sheffield businesses caught flouting coronavirus lockdown guidance and staying open have been shut under new laws that give councils the power to enforce closure.
By Lloyd Bent
Published 7th Apr 2020, 17:00 BST
Updated 8th Apr 2020, 13:52 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Last Friday (April 3), Prince of Vapez on Prince of Wales Road in Sheffield and The Staffordshire Arms pub in Burngreave, were both served notices after the owners failed to close the businesses according to government guidance.

Both were reported to the council and South Yorkshire Police by members of the public, who had seen the businesses continuing to operate and flout social distancing rules.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

If the owners of the businesses fail to comply with the notices enforcing closure they could face prosecution.

aa
a

Greg Fell, Director of Public Health in Sheffield, said: “It’s concerning to hear that some businesses are still not observing social distancing and other Public Health England guidance. We will take action because we have to. Every interaction outside the home is a potential virus transmission point and we must reduce those points of contact in order to reduce the spread of this virus.

“I will keep saying it, stay at home, save lives. It’s the most important thing you can do now to prevent this illness overwhelming our health services and to protect yourselves and your loved ones.”

Councillor Mark Jones, Cabinet Member for Environment, Streetscene and Climate Change at Sheffield City Council added: “We simply cannot allow business owners to ignore the guidance, it's our duty to make sure they listen. We now have the power to enforce this and we are.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“There is support available to help businesses to get through this pandemic. So I urge them to remain closed, for their own safety as well as everyone else.”

The Staffordshire Arms and Prince of Vapez have both been forced to close.The Staffordshire Arms and Prince of Vapez have both been forced to close.
The Staffordshire Arms and Prince of Vapez have both been forced to close.

The closures come following the announcement of the new laws last week.The new Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020 gives local authorities and the police the power to close premises that are flouting the closure ban.

Working in partnership Sheffield City Council and South Yorkshire Police will be investigating and taking enforcement action to close businesses, with the police also handling public gatherings and movement issues.

People can report these issues seven days a week by emailing [email protected].