Bolton Council has brought a successful prosecution against a takeaway who flouted Covid-19 rules.
Shah’s Pizza and Kebab House on Higher Bridge Street broke the rules around Covid-19 when the toughest lockdown measures were brought in locally last year.
On Saturday September 26 2020, enforcement officers carrying out routine patrols discovered the business was operating outside of the 10pm curfew set out by the government during that time. Food and drink were being sold to customers at 11:40pm.
Officers challenged the person in charge of the business who became increasingly uncooperative towards them dismissing the seriousness of the situation.
A Fixed Penalty Notice of £200 was issued but remained unpaid and so the case was brought to court.
Business owner Tawassal Hussain appeared in at Bolton Magistrates Court on Tuesday September 7 2021 and pleaded guilty to the non-payment of fine. The case took almost a year to bring to court due to a backlog of hearings as a result of the pandemic.
Mr Hussain was given a £500 fine and ordered to pay £1058 costs.
Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, Cllr Hilary Fairclough said: "This business broke the Covid-19 rules surrounding business operating times and potentially put people’s health at risk. At the time Bolton was suffering from the highest Covid-19 infection rates in the country so this was particularly reckless behaviour.
“Thanks to the work of our Regulatory Services Team, a successful prosecution has been made.
“I'd like to thank the majority of venues who operating legitimately during this time.”