Pub owner hoping to ‘pat on the back’ fined £ 1,000

A Merseyside pub owner who said he expected “a pat on the back” for his covid insurance business was devastated to receive a £ 1,000 fine.

The Market Tavern pub in Kirkby received a fixed penalty notice after the Knowsley Council reported “multiple covid violations”.

A council spokesperson said the violations were related to serving food and alcohol solely through table service and violations in social distancing.

However, owner Tom Nash said his staff has gone “above and beyond” to create a safe and welcoming environment and that he voluntarily turned over CCTV to patrol police.

He said he expected to be told that they were following the guide exceptionally, but was informed instead that the company would be fined.

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Tom told ECHO: “Staff, everyone has been upbeat about covid. We were looking forward to receiving a gratifying pat on the back for offering a safe environment from covid.

“It’s been tough across the board. I said how giving a fine to a nonprofit is going to help right now.

“It’s sad that the city council is doing this to us when they know that we were the only pub open in town and we had to change the way we operate. It’s devastating, it’s really a blow to us. ”

Tom, who said his business has been badly affected by covid and that he has “spent thousands” on covid changes, claimed that table service was in place, but that a secure beverage collection point had also been established. , which caused the “lack of communication”.

He added: “I am proud of the staff and how they have managed. The fine is unnecessary and we are not open now and everything we have done has been in a safe and covid manner, even picking up a beer from a bar.”

A spokesperson for the Knowsley Council said: “The Licensing Officers conducted a follow-up visit today where the violations were again explained and accepted by the owner.

“Agents were also satisfied that the proper arrangements had been made to ensure that the social distancing guide can be followed at the facility.”

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Knowsley Community Police Chief Inspector Phil Mullally said: “It was explained to the licensee that a fixed fine notice had been issued due to violations of Covid regulations, including evidence that people were He served them alcohol at the bar several times.

“As with the rest of Merseyside, each local police area was tasked with conducting authorized premises checks.

“Our officers visited many facilities when they were open and it was a pleasure that the vast majority of companies introduced extensive measures to protect those inside.

“We know that this has been a difficult time and that many people are having to make sacrifices. But we will not and cannot hesitate to take action when the safety of the people of Merseyside is at risk.”