A Pontardawe pub, where a party appeared to be going on with no social distancing on the day Welsh Government rules were brought in restricting alcohol sales and shutting pubs early, has been fined.
Following a joint inspection between Neath Port Talbot Council’s Licensing section and South Wales Police on December 4th , 2020, a fixed penalty notice was served on the Castle, Pontardawe.
The notice was served using powers under the Welsh Government’s Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) (No 4) Regulations 2020.
A Fixed Penalty Notice – including a fine of £1,000 – was issued to the premises licence holder and the council is now considering whether any further action may be necessary such as a review of the pub’s current licence.
Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Public Protection, Cllr Leanne Jones, said: “Infection rates are significantly high across Wales and it is imperative licensees comply with the current restrictions.
“The council will be taking a robust and positive approach to enforcing non-compliance particularly when it comes to a minority who are openly and deliberately ignoring restrictions aimed at keeping our communities safe.
“We continue to work with licensed premises to ensure that obligations and responsibilities are being complied with in line with Welsh Government rules”.
