Out and about with Tameside's licencing enforcement team

Wednesday, 19 August 2020 10:30

Friday night is traditionally a time of rest or relaxation for most - but not Tameside’s licensing team.

They’ve been out and about across the borough to ensure that both licensed premises and those drinking within are following the new coronavirus rules.

They include taking contact information to comply with the track and trace system should an outbreak occur, enforcing social distancing inside the premises and providing plenty of hand sanitiser.

A night out at your local might look quite different now with rules such as no standing and drinking at the bar, only sitting inside with your own household and limited numbers in the toilets at any one time.

Despite that - hundreds of revellers had flocked out to Mossley’s many fine drinking establishments last Friday night with one resounding message - Tameside is open for business!

Many pubs were found to be adhering to the new guidance, keeping their punters safe, while some were given advice on how they could improve their measures.

Council officers were accompanied by a police officer for their inspections as the authority and police work in partnership to engage, raise awareness and take enforcement action where necessary.

Head of Public Protection at Tameside Council, Sharon Smith, said that by and large, pubs were complying with the new rules.

She said: “These visits are important because they enable us to provide support to the majority of businesses that are trying hard to comply with the regulations and make the business safe for customers to enjoy. They also enable us to take action against any that are not complying.

“On Friday night we carried out 24 visits to licensed premises and four of these required improvements and received a written warning. These will be re-visited.

“We didn’t visit anywhere where there was a serious and imminent threat to public health and required us to serve a ‘Direction to close’.

“We are working with our businesses to provide support where required and have seen positive improvements in the measures that they are taking following our advice.”