Newark's Deincourt Hotel hotel cautioned for opening as usual and serving food and drink in its bar, restaurant and beer garden despite coronavirus closure orders

Pubs and hotels were today warned to keep on the right side of the law after a prohibition notice was served on business publicly flouting covid-19 lockdown rules.

The Deincourt Hotel, Newark, received the legal caution after regulations limiting the sale of food and drink operations because of the coronavirus outbreak were broken.

Newark and Sherwood District Council said the hotel, on London Road, was open as usual on Tuesday, April 14, with customers being served food and drink in its bar, restaurant and beer garden.

The notice is a legal instruction whereby the hotel must shut down these facilities and any other areas that would be used communally and where the food and drink would normally be consumed on the premises by the public.

Non-compliance with the notice could result in a fixed penalty notice of £60.

If there are further contraventions the penalties are doubled up each time, up to and including £960.

Under the regulations, brought in on March 26, hotels are able to remain open to provide accommodation for key workers and residents who have nowhere else to stay but meals can only be provided on a room service basis only.

Pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels in the district are being warned that they must comply with the regulations as they serve to halt the spread of coronavirus (covid-19) and if they do not, they face enforcement action.

Some such catering facilities have been able to vary their terms of trade to offer a take-away service on a temporary basis. For further details click here.

Council officers have also been investigating reports of other licensed premises opening but this has not been proven.

Council licensing staff are working throughout the week, weekends and evenings to ensure that there is strict compliance.

In general, businesses across the district have been abiding by the rules as part of the current lockdown and the Council expresses its gratitude to them for their cooperation.

Council leader David Lloyd said: “It is absolutely essential that hotels and pubs — all businesses and residents in fact — act within the law at this time of national emergency.

"We recognise that these regulations are a challenge for us all in that they are very restrictive but they are wholly necessary in the fight against this disease.

“The social distancing guidelines appear to be having the necessary impact and it is vital that these are maintained so that we can help conquer the spread of this pandemic and all of our lives can return to normal as soon as this can be safely achieved.”

The council has also received some complaints regarding social distancing in workplaces and at retailers and officers have been able to give further guidance and advice.

Further information is available here.

The Deincourt is owned by Best Western. The Advertiser has attempted to contact Best Western. Landline numbers for Best Western's media team are connecting to mobiles that are currently unavailable.

You may also like...

Here's what you can and can't do during lockdown

755 confirmed coronavirus cases in Nottinghamshire

NHS workers score supportive video message from young footballers