Tanning salon and customers hit with fines for breaking lockdown rules

The crackdown comes after Wigan Council received information that Morenna Tanning Studios on Railway Road in Leigh was open.

Members of the regulatory services team along with officers from Greater Manchester Police visited the premises on Sunday (January 17).

They also found 10 customers on site who were issued with £200 fines.

Coun Paul Prescott, Wigan Council’s cabinet member for environment and regulatory services, said: "These fines are a reminder to everyone that we will not hesitate to take action on anyone who breaches the rules that are in place to keep us all safe.

“While we appreciate the difficult times that businesses face, it’s vital that everyone does their bit and abides by the rules so we can keep infection rates down, protect the NHS and ultimately save lives.

“At this critical time for our borough, we would urge everyone to stick to the rules and I thank the vast majority of businesses who are complying.”

Under government guidelines only essential businesses providing essential services are permitted to stay open during the winter lockdown.

Shops that supply groceries, medicines and financial services can continue to serve customers, as long as they are Covid-secure. A full list of which businesses can open can be found on the government website.

All businesses permitted to open under national guidelines have a legal responsibility to protect their employees and other people on site.

Anyone with information or suspects that a business is breaching the rules can contact the team at comm.wigan.gov.uk

For more information visit: https://www.wigan.gov.uk/Business/Business-Support/Covid-business-advice-and-support/Coronavirus-Advice-for-businesses.aspx