Three wedding venues in Kirklees shut after flouting COVID guidelines
The businesses have been closed after being visited by Kirklees Council and the police.
Complaints by members of the public have led to three Kirklees wedding venues being shut for flouting coronavirus guidelines.
The businesses – two banqueting halls in Dewsbury and a hotel in the Liversedge and Gomersal area – have been closed after being visited by Kirklees Council and the police.
All three venues were found to be holding wedding receptions for 50 to 150 people – breaching the Government’s national restriction of no more than 15 guests.
The necessary Covid-19 safety measures were also not being followed at each venue, with a lack of social distancing, especially at arrival and departure.
Senior councillor Rob Walker said: “We’re committed to supporting our hospitality industry through what has been an incredibly difficult time, but we all have to remember that public safety must be the priority.
“When this is put at risk, we will take action.”
The shutdowns follow the temporary closure last month of the Plumber’s Arms pub in Huddersfield town centre, which was also targeted after allowing drinkers to mingle and dance.
It has since re-opened after making necessary improvements.
The council has been working closely with West Yorkshire Police in recent weeks, visiting more than 180 hospitality businesses in the borough to ensure that they have the correct Covid-19 measures in place and are operating in line with new regulations.
The authority found that the vast majority of premises visited have had good controls in place to protect their customers and are going “above and beyond” Government guidance.
Follow-up actions have been required at a handful of businesses and the majority rectified the issues raised within a few days.
Referring to the three new closures Clr Walker, the council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, said they would remain shut until their compliance with current Covid-19 regulations had improved.
He added: “Our work with West Yorkshire Police in visiting hospitality businesses across Kirklees has highlighted that the vast majority are doing all they can to keep people safe.
“However, we have also seen a small number of businesses that need to make urgent improvements.
“Our aim is to support local business by giving praise where due, providing advice when required, challenging poor practices and behaviour, and only taking stronger action where necessary.
“It’s been a pleasure to work with local businesses on this and the vast majority are a credit to our collective effort to stop the spread of the virus.”