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Closure notice served due to concerns
A PUB has been closed after breaking coronavirus rules.
The Black Dog, in London Road, Oadby, was issued with a closure notice by Leicestershire County Council.
The direction, which came into effect from the end of last week, was served by the council in consultation with its director of public health, Oadby and Wigston Borough Council and police.
Gary Connors, head of regulatory services for the county council, said: “We had a number of concerns about a range of breaches around the government restrictions and enough to constitute a serious and imminent threat to public health.
“We were left with no alternative but to use our powers to issue a direction which closed access to the public.
“We will continue to monitor the situation on a weekly basis.
“It is important for the local economy that businesses continue to trade, but it’s down to us all to do all we can to control the spread of the virus.”
The action comes at a time when Oadby and Wigston is still recording one of the highest rates of positive Covid-19 cases across the
We did try to work with The Black Dog, but were left with little option but to take this action
Coun John Boyce
county. The latest coronavirus infection statistics for Leicester and Leicestershire show that 470 new cases were confirmed in the past 24 hours yesterday. Oadby and Wigston cases rose by 24, to a total of 1,144 total cases, with a rate of 2,206 per 100,000 population.
Mike Sandys, director of public health for the county council, said: “We will take action where we believe it poses a health risk to residents. We all have a role to play in reducing the threat of the virus by doing the right thing by following social distancing, wearing a face covering, washing your hands and adhering to the rules.”
Councillor John Boyce, leader of Oadby and Wigston Borough Council, said: “It is important that where breaches relating to government restrictions are taking place that action is taken.
“Our officers worked closely with our partners to support them in serving the direction notice on The Black Dog.
“We did try to work with The Black Dog, but were left with little option but to take this action, in conjunction with our partners.”
No information has been given about exactly how the rules were being breached at the pub.
Ronnie Gill, landlord at The Black Dog, said the council ordered him to close the pub at 8pm on Friday, October 16.
He added: “There is a weekly review and we are hoping we can reopen soon.”
The Oadby and Wigston Borough Council area is subject to Tier 2 restrictions, which means no mixing with other households indoors and no more than six people meeting outdoors.
Pubs and restaurants must close at 10pm.