Pub bosses in legal challenge to Covid fines
THE bosses of two pubs fined thousands of pounds for contravening coronavirus restrictions by Kirklees Council during the England v Italy Euro 2020 final have launched their appeals.
Mark Robertson of the Plumbers Arms on Macaulay Street, Huddersfield town centre, and Ian Snowball of Showtime on Zetland Street were fined a total of £10,000 for alleged offences relating to England’s Euros final against Italy on July 11.
Mr Robertson is accused of selling alcohol from a small outside bar area at his premises to customers who were not seated and the second offence refers to customers standing up drinking with no attempt to challenge this by staff.
At one point West Yorkshire Police officers threatened to shut the pub down if more efforts were not made to get people seated.
In their submission, Mr Robertson’s lawyers Schofield Sweeney write: “This was England’s first major tournament final in 55 years and as such despite coronavirus restrictions, this event encouraged large numbers of people at public houses or public screenings throughout the country.”
As the pub was one of only a few town centre pubs showing the match this attracted a higher than usual number of customers.
The lawyers say: “As you are aware the Plumbers Arms faces onto
Macaulay Street and the concourse adjacent to Huddersfield Bus Station.
“Our client has informed us that on multiple occasions members of the public have brought their own alcohol to the square and watched the Plumbers Arms TV from the public highway.
“As this is not on the Plumbers Arms premises our client is not empowered to request the members of the public to stop watching the TVs or sit down while consuming their own alcohol.
“Our client notes that the police took no steps to stop this drinking in the public area.
“Our client, therefore, denies that the offences were committed as the individuals standing were not the premises’ customers nor on the premises.”
Mr Snowball said he faces court proceedings over his three fines totalling £7,000.
He said: “To our minds, the decision to prosecute is an absolute waste of time and resources.
“As Mark has said, this kind of dogmatic behaviour towards a family business struggling to find its way through a most difficult period of time is hardly likely to excite any prospective business and possibly any individual reading this and considering whether to locate to Huddersfield – but as usual: ‘Carry on regardless’ Kirklees Council, there is presumably some kind of logic to this madness.”
Kirklees Council has been contacted for comment.