Businesses closed for breaching covid safety rules can re-open

Two Blackburn businesses closed for breaching Covid-19 regulations can re-open from today.

Waheed’s Buffet and Banqueting Hall, in Randall Street, and Roberto’s Bar and Bistro, in Richmond Terrace, were both closed by officials last week on Monday, August 17^th.

The owners of the two businesses were told that in order to be able to welcome customers back, the Council’s Public Health and Public Protection teams needed to be confident they had strict Covid-19 procedures in place and that further breaches would not be committed.

Councillor Mohammed Khan, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council said:

Our teams have been working really hard with these two businesses to ensure they can open safely as quickly as possible.

We know these are incredibly challenging times for our businesses and the Council would only ever enforce a closure order as a last resort.

Our priority, however, has to be keeping our residents safe as we face the worst public health crisis in our lifetimes.

We will do everything in our powers to ensure that.

Over the last week, both Waheed’s and Roberto’s Bar have worked with us to ensure they have all the correct Covid-19 procedures in place.

We will continue to work with the owners to ensure that the rules are being adhered to and that customer’s safety is paramount.

The Council’s Public Protection Team has carried out more than 1,600 checks on businesses since the start of the pandemic.

The focus has been on educating owners and managers to ensure the right steps are being taken to keep customers safe.

However, those who breach the rules face being fined or subject to a closure order – as seen in these two cases.

On Friday, the Government announced new local intervention measures for eight areas within Blackburn with Darwen.

The wards include: Audley and Queens Park, Blackburn Central, Roe Lee, Billinge and Beardwood, Bastwell and Daisyfield, Shear Brow and Corporation Park, Little Harwood and Whitebirk and Wensley Fold.

Anyone living in these areas is now not allowed to meet with family and friends from outside their household.

This does not prevent people from shopping, going to work or attending childcare settings including schools which open from September 1.

But it does mean any social activities indoors and outdoors can only be shared with those living in the same house.

Local restaurants will be encouraged to halt walk-ins, and only seat people who make reservations in advance, up to a maximum of six people per table.

A stronger enforcement of Covid-secure measures in workplaces will also be undertaken.

All other areas in the borough are set to revert to the national guidelines from Wednesday, however the Council is awaiting confirmation for what this will mean for those businesses which are yet to re-open.

For full update on Friday’s announcement, please click here.

Residents can check which ward they live in by clicking here.