Two town centre businesses issued with £1000 FPN after “blatant disregard for the law and public safety at a time when Wrexham is at the highest infection rate in Wales”

Wrexham Council have said two businesses on Chester Street in Wrexham town centre, “Fresh Fades barbers shop and Lash Lab beauticians have each been served with a fixed penalty notice for £1000 for opening their premises and serving customers during the current lockdown”.

In a statement Wrexham council have said, “The law is quite clear that certain premises may not open and serve customers at the present time to prevent the spread of coronavirus. It’s also very clear that people should only be leaving their homes for essential purposes.

Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Communities, Partnerships, Public Protection and Community Safety, said, “This shows a blatant disregard for the law and public safety at a time when Wrexham is at the highest infection rate in Wales. There can be no excuses, we are all aware of the regulations and it’s up to everyone to play their to bring the infection rates down and see the end to lockdown sooner rather than later. “Wrexham Council and North Wales Police have been really impressed with the response from the vast majority of businesses in Wrexham who have done everything they are required to do including, in many cases closing their business at considerable cost to themselves.”

“Because of the public health risk and to support those businesses that do comply with law, Public Protection Officers and Police Officers are being extremely vigilant regarding any breaches and will not hesitate to issue fines to businesses who fail to comply and to customers and employees who are complicit. Owners of businesses who fail to close as the law requires will face a £1000 fine on the first occasion rising ultimately to £10000 for subsequent incidents.

“Please do not be tempted to open your business in contravention of the current rules. That includes seeing customers in the privacy of your own home or theirs to provide services such as hairdressing, nails, beauty treatments or similar.”

Wrexham Town Inspector, Luke Hughes, said, “The message is clear, if you are caught breaking the regulations in this way you will be fined and face possible further action. It’s extremely disappointing to see certain businesses, their staff and customers behaving in breach of lockdown regulations.

“The regulations are there to protect us and the majority of people and businesses understand this and are willing to comply and make the necessary sacrifices for the good of us all. “

The council say the companies both received fines of £1,000 and those customers and employees present also received fines of £60 each and investigations will continue into these breaches.