Council issue Improvement Notices to two pubs

Wrexham Council have take more enforcement action in line with coronavirus regulations, issuing two more Improvement Notices.

In a statement the council said, “Everyone is working hard to make sure that businesses can remain safe for their staff and customers during the Covid-19 emergency. It’s great to be able to report that the vast majority are managing the risks well, and keeping staff and customers as safe as possible.

“However, we also have a duty to intervene when businesses are putting their staff, customers and Wrexham as a whole at risk by failing to introduce Covid-19 safety measures. That’s why we’ve had to serve two more Improvement Notices on licensed premises in Wrexham.”

The Railway Inn in Rhos and Chirk Tavern in Chirk have been served with the Notices, with council say “both had failed to take reasonable measures to minimise risk of exposure to coronavirus at their premises”.

The two notices are also public on the Council’s website.

The Railway Inn (Rhos) notice reads:

Specifically you are required to take the following measures:
1. Ensure that customers, not from the same household, adhere to social distancing of 2
metres.
2. Ensure that the layout of the premises and furniture enables a distance of 2 metres to be
adhered to by customers
3. Ensure that customers wear face coverings when not seated at tables.
4. Ensure that a completed risk assessment is available at the premises for inspection.

The council said in a public statement, “Improvements required at the Railway Inn ask the landlord to ensure that customers, not from the same household, adhere to social distancing of 2 metres, ensure that the layout of the premises and furniture enables a distance of 2 metres to be adhered to by customers, ensure that customers wear face coverings when not seated at tables and ensure that a completed risk assessment is available at the premises for inspection.”

The Chirk Tavern notice reads:

Specifically you are required to take the following measures;
1. Ensure that customers , not from the same household, adhere to social distancing of 2
metres.
2. Ensure that customers wear face coverings when not seated at tables.
3. Ensure that a completed risk assessment is available at the premises for inspection.

The council said in the public statement, “Improvements required at the Chirk Tavern ask the landlord to ensure Ensure that customers, not from the same household, adhere to social distancing of 2 metres, ensure that customers wear face coverings when not seated at tables and ensure that a completed risk assessment is available at the premises for inspection.”

The council say failure to put the measures in place when they re-open following the upcoming fire-break means they could face further action including being issued with a Closure Notice.

Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member at Wrexham Council said: “We don’t like taking such measures but it’s absolutely essential that all businesses play their part to keep all their staff and customers safe. We’re happy to work with any business that need our advice on how to do this and will continue to do this whilst the Covid-19 emergency is with us.

“The fire break should serve as a time when businesses can reflect on what they have done and if necessary put in place further measures to help keep Wrexham safe.”