​Bury bar shut down for ignoring Covid restrictions

Licensing officers have served an immediate closure notice on the Kavern Klub in Bury town centre for not implementing Covid-safe rules.

The venue, situated on The Rock, is the first in the borough to be shut down by the council under coronavirus enforcement.

Warning letters were sent to the bar’s owner and management following a number of visits which found many people drinking in large groups with little or no social distancing measures in effect. A follow-up visit last weekend found that insufficient action was being taken to follow the guidelines.

The owners will now have to make changes that will satisfy the council that safety standards will be met and the public will not be placed at further risk.

Councillor Jane Black, cabinet member for the cultural economy, said: “Pubs, restaurants and others in the hospitality trade have had to implement a wide range of measures to keep customers safe since the lockdown eased. Together with the police, our public protection officers have been working closely with licensed premises across the borough – and particularly in Bury town centre - to make sure they are opening safely.

“The majority are taking their responsibilities seriously, and this is the first direction notice that has had to be issued: however, repeated failings mean that action has to be taken against the minority who aren’t doing everything they can. Due to the lack of appropriate control being implemented at the Kavern Klub and the disregard of risk and Covid secure arrangements demonstrated by premises management, closure of the premises is required to protect public health and limit the spread of coronavirus.”

Lesley Jones, Bury’s director of public health, said: “Unfortunately the infection levels for Covid-19 have continued to rise rapidly in recent weeks and we have one of the highest levels in the country. It is vital that everyone in Bury does their best to stay safe and stop the virus being passed on by washing their hands, not mixing between households, keeping a safe distance from others and wearing a mask in enclosed public places. If the virus keeps spreading we are at risk of more lockdowns which none of us want to see.”

The direction notice will be reviewed every seven days.

ENDS

Press release issued: 17 September 2020.