Carpet retailer fined for being open during lockdown

A Wolverhampton carpet shop which continued to operate during the national lockdown has been fined £1,000 by the council.

Underfoot Interiors, trading as Mayfair Carpets, in Park Lane, Fallings Park, was also issued with a prohibition notice this morning after it was found to be breaching coronavirus restrictions.

Council officers visited the premises on January 9 and found that it was letting customers inside, despite the law only allowing for home deliveries or collection.

Officers from the council’s environmental health team had already issued the business with a warning letter two days earlier on January 7 after receiving a complaint the business was breaking current restrictions.

The council then contacted the business numerous times on 7 and 8 January to provide extensive advice on how to operate in line with government guidance.

Cllr Steve Evans, City of Wolverhampton Council’s cabinet member for city environment, said: “This new variant of Covid-19 is much more aggressive and presents a much greater risk than during the first lockdown, there is no excuse for blatant disregard of the rules. We’re not talking about genuine mistakes here, but deliberate breaches of the rules.

“Our hospitals are filling up with Covid patients, this is an emergency and we must all follow the rules to bring the virus under control.

“There is simply no excuse for any business to be breaking the rules and we will not hesitate to fine and close down any establishment that puts public safety at risk.

“Our message is simple – break the rules and face a fine. No business is above the law and they must put the safety of their staff and customers first.”

The prohibition notice was served to prevent any future breaches of the restrictions which would result in additional fines.