Police name and shame Portsmouth businesses fined for breaking coronavirus rules

CITY businesses fined for breaking coronavirus rules have been named and shamed by police.
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Hampshire police’s licensing team, together with Portsmouth City Council, have been clamping down on firms failing to comply with emergency Covid-19 regulations.

Under the current rules, people may not participate in social gatherings, in any place, in groups of more than six.

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Licensed premises have also been ordered to close no later than 10pm every night.

Ali Baba kebab house was also fined £1,000 for remaining open past the 10pm curfew. Photo: GoogleAli Baba kebab house was also fined £1,000 for remaining open past the 10pm curfew. Photo: Google
Ali Baba kebab house was also fined £1,000 for remaining open past the 10pm curfew. Photo: Google

Those who breach the restrictions can be slapped with hefty fines.

Now police have revealed the names of the pubs and takeaways flouting the rules over the past few days.

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The first was the Ship & Castle pub in Rudmore Road, Stamshaw, which was fined £1,000 after allowing a gathering of more than 15 punters at the site for a wake on Thursday, October 22.

The Ship & Castle pub was among the city businesses to be fined £1,000 by police for breaching coronavirus rules. Photo: GoogleThe Ship & Castle pub was among the city businesses to be fined £1,000 by police for breaching coronavirus rules. Photo: Google
The Ship & Castle pub was among the city businesses to be fined £1,000 by police for breaching coronavirus rules. Photo: Google
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The following day Ali Baba’s and Perfect Pizza – both on London Road, North End – were each slapped with a £1,000 penalty after not closing before the 10pm curfew.

On Saturday the nearby Golden Chopsticks takeaway, also in London Road, received a £1,000 for remaining open later than 10pm.

In addition, a 20-year-old man from Portsmouth was handed a fine after he was observed walking through and leaving the Astoria nightclub in Guildhall Walk on Saturday night without his facemask, having been reminded previously by door staff to put it on.

PC Pete Rackham, from the Hampshire police’s licensing and alcohol harm reduction team, said officers would continue to patrol the street and enforce the rules.

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He added: ‘Our work to tackle the spread of this virus is a joint effort, and we will continue to work closely with the city council and local businesses to ensure the safety of the public.

‘I am pleased to see that the vast majority of businesses are doing everything they can to comply with the regulations and keep people safe.

‘There are unfortunately the minority that have not complied, and it is important for all businesses to realise that enforcement action will be taken against those that do not co-operate with the restrictions.

‘We are sympathetic to everyone struggling during the pandemic, but it is essential that we prevent the spread of this virus and keep each other safe.’

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Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Portsmouth City Council boss, said the ‘vast majority of businesses' were following the rules but has urged residents to report any firms that aren’t.

‘It is absolutely vital that we respond quickly and firmly to breaches of coronavirus safety regulations within businesses so we limit the threat to public health and deter repeat offences,’ he added.

‘Our approach to enforcement will be pragmatic and proportionate but businesses that do not act responsibly and fail to comply with their obligations will face tough consequences.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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