A Ceredigion public house has been fined £2,000 and served a Premises Closure Notice after failing to comply with a Premises Improvement Notice and for additional breaches of the Covid-19 regulations.
On Monday 24 May 2021, officers from Ceredigion County Council’s Public Protection team carried out routine patrols in the county. The team visited The Ffostrasol Arms, Ffostrasol, who had recently been issued with a Premises Improvement Notice, to check compliance. Whilst at the premises, officers discovered further non-compliances. The manager was informed of the improvements required and that failure to meet the requirements would lead to a Premises Closure Notice and a Fixed Penalty Notice.
When officers re-visited the premises on 26 May, they found that a Fred Davies & Co auction was taking place at the premises and no evidence that reasonable measures were in place to reduce the risk of Covid-19 at the premises. Assisted by Dyfed Powys Police, the Public Protection team returned to the Ffostrasol Arms on Friday 28 May and issued a Premises Closure Notice and a Fixed Penalty Notice. As a result, the Ffostrasol Arms will remain closed for 28 days, or until they can demonstrate that they have made the necessary improvements to minimise the risk of Coronavirus on their premises.
These premises were last issued with a closure notice for breaching COVID-19 regulations in October 2020.
Whilst non-compliant businesses receive advice and guidance in the first instance, serious or persistent breaches are dealt with by means of closure notices, fixed penalty notices or prosecution.
The majority of Ceredigion‘s hospitality businesses are doing a commendable job at complying with the restrictions placed upon them despite the challenges they face, and the Public Protection Team is committed to supporting local businesses by offering them advice and guidance on how to comply with the restrictions. However, businesses that irresponsibly disregard the Covid-19 regulations and puts the health of their customers, staff and the wider community at risk will face enforcement action being taken against them.
The Ffostrasol Arms Premises Closure Notice came into force on Friday 28 May 2021 at 15:30.
