Two Wigan town centre bars shut down over not complying with coronavirus measures

Wigan Council said large groups were congregating in the venue on Millgate and singing and dancing to extremely loud music.

Repeat visits had discovered an ongoing lack of compliance with social distancing requirements.

The council's licensing team, working in partnership with Greater Manchester Police (GMP), served the direction notice on the venues which forced the premises to shut from 4pm on Wednesday.

Coun Paul Prescott, cabinet member for planning and environmental services, said: “While the majority of businesses have generally responded well to the help and advice we have given, closures like this act as a reminder to those who don’t abide by the rules and regulations.

“It acts a strong reminder that the council will not hesitate to respond when there is evidence that shows businesses are not acting responsibly and within the guidelines that have been put in place to protect us all.

“Decisions like this are a last resort as we want all our businesses to be open so they can get back on a solid economic footing but we need to ensure we keep infection rates down and don’t undo all the good work of the past few months.”

The closure will be reviewed within seven days and a decision made on whether or not the two premises will be permitted to re-open.

Chief Inspector Liz Sanderson, of GMP’s Wigan District, said: “It is vital that licensed premises adhere to Government regulations in order to protect our communities, particularly given the heightened restrictions across Greater Manchester.

“As the closure demonstrates, we will take action against businesses which are flouting the rules and will use our legislative powers to ensure premises operate safely.

“I hope this serves as a stark warning to other licensed premises that we will not hesitate to use enforcement if they are failing to comply with the regulations.”

Wigan, along with the nine other Greater Manchester local authorities, has spent the last few weeks under some of the strictest lockdown restrictions in the country.

The town hall has acted using relatively new powers under Covid-19 regulations that came into force in the middle of July allowing councils to shut down businesses which flout regulations put in place to protect the public.

Residents can report other businesses in breach by emailing [email protected]