Southampton hotel facing coronavirus fine
A hotel in Southampton is facing a fine after breaking coronavirus rules.
Hampshire Police were called to the Bitterne Park Hotel on Cobden Avenue in Southampton around 7pm on Thursday 24 December 2020.
Officers discovered around 40 people drinking alcohol at tables where they had not been served food and moving freely around the room without masks in contravention of the restrictions in place at the time.
The officers engaged with those present and dispersed them before ultimately reporting the licensee for summons in relation to a ÂŁ1,000 fixed penalty notice for a breach of the regulations.
PC Mark Hawley from the force’s licensing team said: "This was a blatant breach of the Health Protection Regulations that are in force to keep people safe during the pandemic.
"The guidelines in place around hospitality are clear, it is very disappointing therefore that a private party was held that put everyone attending at risk.
"We are working with partners, including the city council, to ensure where businesses or individuals breach the regulations, that this is addressed quickly to provide reassurance to the community".