‘Saddened by decision’ to stop bar reopening
Popular restaurant told by council outdoor seating is actually indoors
A POPULAR restaurant has been told it cannot reopen using its outdoor seating area – as it is actually considered to be inside.
Leek Bar and Grill, in Getliffes Yard, was hoping to let people sit at tables and chairs outside.
But the owners say Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has confirmed the Leek venue is deemed indoors under the current covid guidelines.
The business has now confirmed it will close its doors to eat-in customers until May 17 – when the next stage of lockdown easing is due – and instead focus on takeaways.
Owner Ozgur Yeter said: “We are deeply disappointed to announce that our outside seating area within Getliffes Yard has been declared not to be acceptable for use as an outdoor area.
“Getliffes Yard has been classified as being indoors under the current corona virus regulations. We have therefore decided to close following recent discussions with the council.
“We are sorry to disappoint all our customers, especially those who have made reservations with us in order to spend quality time with family and friends after such a long difficult year.
“We will re-open on the May 17 in line with the lifting of restrictions and we are already accepting bookings.
“The whole team at Leek Bar and Grill are saddened by this decision and we thank you for your support.”
The district council said its covid enforcers visited the premises.
A spokesman said: “The council’s covid ambassadors visited the site a number of times to offer advice to the business operator, and referred it to the licensing enforcement team for consideration when the advice was contested. The council determined that Getliffes Yard is indoors for the purposes of the current covid regulations and the operator was advised as such in the interests of public safety during this critical phase of the pandemic as restrictions are progressively relaxed.”