County Durham club ordered to close following 'serious breach' of coronavirus rules

Shotton Comrades Club was served with a direction notice from Durham County Council following a lack of social distancing at the club, no table service and customers standing at the bar.

Durham County Council’s community protection team said that the club must prove that it can operate in a COVID-secure way before it will be allowed to reopen ‘because of so serious a breach.’

A post on the Shotton Comrades Club Facebook page said that it will be closed from Friday, October 2, until Friday, October 9, to allow it to put more COVID-secure practices in place.

Under new restrictions in the North East to tackle the rise in coronavirus cases, premises must provide table service only, close at 10pm and have the necessary track and trace requirements.

They must also ensure social distancing rules are adhered to and ask staff and customers to wear face coverings.

Any premises or person not complying with those measures could face a fine of £1,000 or closure if the regulations are ignored or the premises remain open beyond 10pm.

The council is also continuing to work with the Workingmen’s Club Institute and Union following previous outbreaks in workingmen’s clubs at Burnside at Stanley.

Owen Cleugh, Durham County Council’s public protection manager, said: “We have been visiting premises across the county since the new restrictions were put in place and we are pleased to see that the vast majority are supportive of the measures and doing all they can to protect their staff and customers.

"We will continue to support these venues in staying open and are happy to offer help and advice where needed to make sure this possible.

“Unfortunately, there are a small number of premises failing to comply and I hope that instructing this business to close sends a clear message that we will take action against any premises which continues to flout the legislation.

"These measures have been put in place to address a significant rise in coronavirus cases in the region, and we must do what we can to protect public safety.”

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