That’s not outdoors: Pub told to close after just six hours
REOPENING IS SHORT-LIVED FOR PUB AND CAFE SEATING AREAS RULED NOT OUTDOORS
A PUB and cafe had to close outdoor seating areas after they were deemed to be breaching coronavirus regulations.
Council officials told the Nags Head pub and the Aldwinckles Coffee House, both in Market Harborough, that they would have to shut.
The pub, in Church Street, was open for six hours on Monday, before a Harborough District Council inspector told staff the area, formerly a smoking space, was considered enclosed so not outdoors.
It was the first time in over five months the pub had opened.
A spokesman for the pub said: “We are very sorry this has happened as our loyal customers have waited such a long time to socialise again and were so happy to think their lives could now be getting back to normal.”
The council inspector also told staff at Aldwinckles Coffee House, also in Church Street, that its courtyard, which was being used to serve customers, breached the guidelines and had to be closed.
Owner Moragh Hargreaves said: “I just couldn’t believe it. It’s so frustrating when you have spent all week getting ready.
“We were all geared up, firing on all cylinders and then we were just stopped in our tracks.
“We are absolutely gutted, really. I appreciate the council are just doing their job and following the guidelines but outside is outside I think.
“The council said the only way to make it meet the regulations is to take off the roof and that’s just not practical.”
Harborough District Council said compliance checks are taking place to ensure businesses reopen in a way that is safe for staff and customers.
Government rules state to be considered outdoors, shelters, marquees and other structures can have a roof, but need to have at least 50 per cent of the area of their walls open at all times while in use. In relation to the Nags Head, a spokesman said: “Now that lockdown restrictions have eased, we are working with businesses to ensure they can reopen in a way that is safe for staff and customers.
“As part of our ongoing Covid compliance checks, we found there was some concern at the Nags Head pub in Market Harborough that enclosed areas were being used for serving which would not be deemed outdoors in the current government coronavirus regulations.
“The pub has agreed to voluntarily close to allow time to demonstrate compliance.”
I appreciate the council are just doing their job but outside is outside I think Moragh Hargreaves, Aldwinckles
In relation to Aldwinckles Cafe, the council spokesman said: “As part of our ongoing Covid compliance checks, we advised Aldwinkles Coffee House that covered areas were being used for serving which are not deemed to be outdoors in the current government coronavirus regulations.
“We provided advice on what could be done to make the area compliant for use.
“In the meantime, the cafe will continue to operate a takeaway service.”
Under Monday’s Covid-19 rules relaxation non-essential shops, pubs, restaurants, gyms and other businesses were allowed to partly or fully open again.
Pubs and bars are allowed to reopen but only outdoor areas.