89 reports of businesses breaching COVID guidelines in Kirklees
Despite this, the Council has only issued one closure order.
Members of the public have made 89 reports about pubs, bars and restaurants in Kirklees breaching social distancing guidelines over the last three months.
But Kirklees Council has so far issued just one closure order: to the Plumber’s Arms pub in Huddersfield town centre.
Earlier in the lockdown police shut down three businesses that opened in defiance of lockdown rules.
They were a snooker hall, a hairdresser/barber and a factory outlet shop.
Those closures followed enforcement action by Kirklees Council.
The authority says its staff are working in partnership with the police to ensure drinkers stay safe during the ongoing health emergency.
That means monitoring socialising and cracking down on venues like the Plumber’s, which it said allowed drinkers to mingle and dance.
The pub was slapped with a one-month closure order after contravening Covid-19 social distancing guidelines.
The 89 reports about the hospitality industry can be dated back to July 4 and the Government’s decision to re-open pubs.
However the council says more than 500 businesses have accessed support from the authority to assist them in opening in a Covid-safe way.
A spokesperson for the council said people can report inappropriate behaviour via email.
She added: “Officers will consider the information provided and decide on the best course of action.
“This could be a call or visit to give advice, a visit to the premises to conduct an audit of Covid secure measures, or a visit to conduct an investigation and gather evidence of breaches (either in or out of hours).
“Officers then follow up with recommendations verbally or in writing, or progress to carrying out formal action dependant on their findings.
“Formal action could be an improvement notice under Health & Safety legislation, or a Fixed Penalty Notice under coronavirus restriction regulations.
“They may also may issue directions for closure if required.
“The council always aims to advise and educate in the first instance and saves more formal action for when there is an imminent threat to health or if earlier advice has been ignored.
“We have found that most businesses respond well to advice and the vast majority put in place the necessary changes to keep customers safe.”
Reports can be made by emailing Covid-Secure.Enquiries@kirklees.gov.uk