A PUB in Ludlow has become the first in the county to be issued a fixed penalty notice by Shropshire Council for breaching Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

But the pub is not being named and the Council says that it recognises that pubs are fighting to survive because of the restrictions.

The council’s priority throughout the pandemic has been to protect the health and safety of the public, say the Council.

Recent reports received, and monitoring undertaken by council officers, found that the pub – which cannot be named for legal reasons – was selling alcohol from its premises and allowing customers to remain adjacent to the premises whilst drinking. Under current England lockdown laws this is not permitted at pubs.

Current restrictions are in place to limit social contact and halt the spread of coronavirus.

It is crucial that pubs and their customers remember that the restrictions are in place to combat coronavirus, which is a serious threat to public health.

The council says it has taken a proportionate and pragmatic approach to enforcing restrictions throughout the pandemic. It will continue to monitor levels of compliance, and where necessary will take action against those pubs where there is clear breaches of restrictions and disregard for public safety.

“The council takes no pleasure in issuing fines and I’m extremely disappointed that we have had to resort to issuing a Fixed Penalty Notice in the case of a Ludlow premises, said” Frances Darling, Shropshire Council’s trading standards and licensing operations manager.

“However, the risks for our Shropshire communities are far too serious for us not to take an extremely robust enforcement position.

“I must warn licensees that significant contraventions will inevitably lead to enforcement action. Repeat offenders may see their premises licence reviewed, which may ultimately lead to their licence being revoked.”