Northampton car wash fined after continuing to operate during lockdown

A Northampton car wash which was caught operating despite the second national lockdown has been fined.

The Hand Car Wash in Kettering Road at the site of Morrisons was first in breach of lockdown restrictions on November 6 when the business was found to be operating.

Following this breach, the owner was issued with a warning letter and advised that further non-compliance would result in enforcement.

However, on November 12 neighbourhood wardens once again witnessed the business in operation thus breaching the restrictions.

As a result of the breaches, Dalip Hasa the owner of the car wash has been fined £1,000 by Northampton Borough Council.

A spokesman for Northampton Borough Council said: “We are always keen to take an advisory approach when it comes to ensuring businesses are adhering to the ongoing restrictions.

“Certainly, we treat enforcement as a last resort, as was the case with The Hand Car Wash.

“We appreciate these are challenging times for businesses, but it was important to take action against this particular business, which had not responded to our advisory approach, and ensure government restrictions aimed at reducing the risk of infection were enforced.

“It is also important to be fair to those other businesses that have acted responsibly and closed in accordance with the requirements of the lockdown.”

The owner will now need to pay the fine or face court action.

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