Great Yarmouth Borough Council is serving two hospitality venues with enforcement notices for breaching covid rules

To support the relaxation of restrictions from April 12, the council has been visiting premises to provide advice and guidance. Environmental Health Officers and Norfolk Constabulary are also undertaking targeted compliance visits to premises where there are reports of rules being broken.

Hospitality venues are allowed to serve people outdoors, although customers must order, eat and drink while seated. Wider social contact rules apply in all these settings to prevent indoor mixing between different households.

Though many premises are following the regulations to ensure the safety of their customers and staff, the council is serving Prohibition Notices against two hospitality venues for issues identified over the last week.

The main issues were a lack of social distancing, not serving customers at tables, and the use of outside covered areas which do not meet the requirement to have at least 50 per cent of the area of their walls open at all times whilst in use.

Cllr Carl Smith, leader of the council, said: "Everyone has a role to play to help control the spread of covid. Most businesses are following the rules well, and our Environmental Health Officers have been working closely with police to provide advice, answer questions and to support voluntary compliance.

"Public safety is our top priority, and this formal enforcement action sends a strong message that the council will take action with police where concerns are raised. Prohibition Notices provide the basis for further enforcement action if required, including issuing fines, in the event that regulations continue to be broken.

"We will continue to monitor premises and respond to concerns, including over the Bank Holiday Weekend. The best support residents can give to venues is to keep to the guidelines when visiting as customers, so the businesses can confidently meet the covid guidelines."   

Superintendent Nathan Clark, from Norfolk Police, said: "Many people have been playing their part and following the guidelines to keep each other safe.

"However, it was clear that there were some establishments and people who hadn't embraced the rules in the same spirit, and alongside our colleagues from the borough council, enforcement has taken place where it was proportionate to do so. We will continue to work alongside our partners, gathering and sharing information regarding breaches and taking action where appropriate."

If you are concerned a business in the borough might be breaking coronavirus regulations, or if you are a business needing some advice, contact Environmental Services on health@great-yarmouth.gov.uk or 01493 846478.