Council closes bar after ‘serious’ social distancing breaches

City of Wolverhampton Council has issued a closure notice on a city centre bar/nightclub due to “serious social distancing breaches”.

The authority said Blossoms in North Street had failed to identify and implement adequate control measures associated with preventing the spread by others of coronavirus.

It said capacity levels at the venue have been continually exceeded and agreed social distancing measures “blatantly disregarded”.

The council said officers will continue to work with the licence holder to enable the premises to safely reopen with social distancing and other control measures in place.

Cllr Steve Evans, cabinet member for city environment, said: “The licence holder’s actions are causing a serious and imminent threat to public health.

“The closure of the premises is in response to regular and serious breaches of social distancing as well as other inadequate controls resulting in the potential spread of coronavirus.

“There is a clear need to prevent further harm to public health and to do so promptly.

“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 expert advice set out by the government that has been put in place to protect the public from the virus.

“Thankfully, the vast majority of businesses are acting responsibly and abiding by the rules.

“We will continue our close partnership working with the Police and our Public Health colleagues to protect the public by clamping down on those who are selfishly putting customers and their staff at risk.”