Dudley Council’s cabinet member for health has reminded businesses of the need to comply with Covid-19 restrictions or risk facing fines and legal action.

The warning follows spot inspection checks at pubs and take out premises in Dudley town centre on Friday evening as part of a joint operation from Dudley Council’s environmental health and West Midlands Police.

Under current coronavirus restrictions, licenced premises and take away premises must close to the public at 10pm each night.

Nine licenced premises and eight take away premises were visited. All but one were found to be compliant with the 10pm closing time.

Chicken Hut in Dudley was found to be in breach of the requirement to close at 10pm. Customers were in the shop after 10pm and enforcement action has been taken against the premises.

Of the licensed premises visited, most were found to have made reasonable efforts to comply with working safely during coronavirus requirements and no enforcement action was required. All were taking customer contact details and face coverings were being worn by most customers and staff.

The operation, which was supported by the local authority’s licensing team, also undertook closure checks on four other licensed premises after 10pm. All were found to be closed in accordance with the law. Councillor Nicolas Barlow, cabinet member for health and adult social care, said: 

We are greatly encouraged from the outcome of this operation, where the vast majority of our businesses and residents were seen to be adhering to the restrictions.

I’m particularly pleased to know that the premises have been very receptive to working with us to help keep themselves, their staff and their customers safe. We are now providing some of the venues with follow up advice and support on Test and Trace, table layouts and social distancing to help them make further improvements.

The minority of businesses owners who may be considering flouting the rules should be warned that future exercises may be carried out as we will continue to do all we can to minimise the spread of the coronavirus.