A pub in Tameside has been closed down for 'repeatedly breaching coronavirus regulations'.
The Jolly Hatters pub, on Town Lane in Denton, was today (Friday) served with a Direction to Close Notice by Tameside Council.
The council said it was in response to the premises posing a “serious and imminent threat to public health”.
They say the pub has repeatedly breached the Coronavirus Regulations and Government Guidance - measures brought in to ensure venues remained Covid-secure for the public and members of staff.
Ei Group Ltd, the brewery that own the pub, had previously 'provided assurance' that the lease of the tenant would be terminated, according to a statement from the council.
They said the premises would remain closed until a 'suitable replacement had been appointed'.
Despite this, council bosses said the 'designated premises supervisor' reopened the premises yesterday evening.
Officers from GMP served a Closure Notice, requiring the premises to close for 24 hours.
The council then served the Direction to Close Notice today, a decision they say was 'not taken lightly'.
It will remain in force until Monday, October 12.
The order will only be lifted if the council is satisfied that the existing 'designated premises supervisor' has vacated the premises, and that the appropriate control measures are in place.
It is the first notice that Tameside Council has served under the new powers (The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 3) Regulations 2020).
Coun Allison Gwynne, responsible for enforcement at Tameside Council, said: “We have been working closely with the police to advise and support businesses to operate safely and the vast majority are complying. Where issues are found we work closely with businesses to address and resolve.
“Unfortunately in this case, our advice has not been taken on board – there have been repeated breaches and there is a clear and serious risk to public health. Public health and keeping the local community safe is of utmost importance to us and we won’t hesitate in taking robust action against businesses that fail to comply and pose a threat.
“This is the first notice we have served under these new powers and the decision was not taken lightly.
"However, we are satisfied that with the current management in place there is a serious and imminent threat to public health.”
