Bungay restaurant fined for failing to close during lockdown
A restaurant owner in Bungay's been handed a £1,000 fine.
Last updated 21st Jan 2021
The owner of Spic of Balti in Bungay has been given a £1,000 fine after Suffolk Police caught people eating and drinking in the restaurant.
Following concerns from members of the public, officers visited the restaurant to find customers sitting around a table eating takeaway food and at the bar drinking.
Under the current lockdown restrictions food and non-alcoholic drinks can only be sold on a takeaway or delivery basis.
East Suffolk Council says as a result of Mr Shams Uddin breaching these regulations, he was issued with a £1,000 Fixed Penalty Notice.
Cllr Mary Rudd, East Suffolk's cabinet member for Community Health, said: "We understand that businesses want to remain fully open however the restrictions are in place for a reason and with the challenges of the new variants which are currently in circulation and spreading rapidly, it has never been more important that we all follow the rules to help defeat this virus.
"The restrictions clearly show which businesses must close and financial support is available for those businesses affected.
"These are difficult times, for everyone, but we must continue to stick to the rules to help keep people safe."
Inspector Claire Simons from the Neighbourhood Partnership Team in Lowestoft said: "This was a good example of partnership working between the Constabulary and East Suffolk Council.
"The venue in question was operating in such a way as to cause the risk of the spread of a deadly disease to their customers and potentially others in the wider community.
"Suffolk Constabulary are addressing the wider issues with the licence holder who has agreed to alter the conditions on his premises licence to enable the business to be compliant moving forward."
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