City bar and grill warned over serving alcohol

A Wolverhampton bar and grill has been served with a prohibition notice for continuing to operate during the coronavirus pandemic.

Working with West Midlands Police, City of Wolverhampton Council visited premises across the city last Friday.

Kaz Bar, Bar and Grill, Graiseley Row, was found open for business and serving alcohol to members of the public, the city council said.

A prohibition notice was served preventing the sale of food or drink for consumption on the premises, including outside areas – and a call for a review of the premises supervisor’s license will also be made.

The owner said he was serving takeaway food and drink and blamed a customer who drank too close to the premises.

“There are signs throughout the pub and outside saying ‘takeaway only’ but what happened was a guy decided to consume his drink about 50 yards from the pub,” Kaz Shakham told BBC News.

“It’s deeply frustrating. I only opened last week and we’re all struggling to make a living; the problem is I can’t control whether people adhere to the rules after they’ve bought a drink.”

Cllr Steve Evans, cabinet member for city environment at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “As a council, we take a zero-tolerance approach to those who flout the rules and put others at risk during such uncertain times.

“It is not acceptable for businesses to be ignoring advice set out by the government that has been put in place to protect the public from the virus.

“I’m pleased to see most businesses are acting responsibly and abiding by the rules and listening to government advice.

“I would like to thank all officers who are working to protect the public by clamping down on those who are selfishly putting customers and their staff at risk.”