MORE CITY FIRMS TOLD TO CLOSE
Three businesses shut after weekend checks but council praises majority for following rules
THREE more businesses were forced to shut over the weekend for breaching coronavirus rules in Swansea, but most firms were following guidelines.
THREE more businesses were forced to shut over the weekend for breaching coronavirus rules in Swansea.
Al Nakheel and Shisha Bar in St Helen’s Road and Sultan Coffee Lounge in Wind Street have been issued with immediate closure notices by Swansea Council.
These premises will not be able to open for 14 days until improvements have been complied with.
However, unannounced visits by the council’s public health team to hospitality, leisure, hairdressing and other businesses indicate that most are doing their best to work within the rules set out after the area went into a local lockdown a week ago.
Those who have been issued with improvement notices have also worked with the council to address their shortcomings so they can continue with their businesses.
Businesses issued with improvement notices include a number of hairdressers, stores, and a branch of the Xercise4less chain.
A number of hospitality businesses have also been issued with notices.
A total of 11 out of 12 premises issued with improvement notices are now operating within regulations set out under Welsh Government guidelines designed to keep people safe and prevent the spread of the virus.
Noah’s Yard in Uplands and Chick-o-land in Wind Street, which had previously been issued with closure orders, are now in compliance and have been given permission to re-open.
David Hopkins, cabinet member for delivery and operations, praised businesses for doing their bit with the council to do the right thing.
He said: “Everyone must play their part. Our public health teams have been working flat-out over the last few weeks inspecting premises, responding to requests from businesses for advice and guidance and followingup concerns raised by members of the public.
“In the main they found good compliance in the vast majority of cases which meant that the visits could also be used to provide further information to the businesses they visited about the new regulations.
“In the case of Xercise4less, as soon as senior management were told of our concerns they sent a team from head office to carry out and oversee the changes we needed to see. Consequently we were able to lift an immediate closure notice within 24 hours of it being imposed.
“It demonstrated how seriously the company took our concerns but it also showed their willingness to work with us to protect their customers and staff.”
It is the responsibility of firms to ensure social distancing is maintained and their premises can be used in a way that is safe.