Two Northampton venues punished after one had groups standing and another had customers on site after 10pm

Two businesses in Northampton have been punished for breaking Covid-19 rules.

Environmental health officers from Northampton Borough Council found breaches at the Stereo Club in Bridge Street and The Old House in Wellingborough Road when they visited last Friday (October 23).

At the Bridge Street bar customers were found standing in groups and staff were not seen to be taking action.

A £1,000 fixed penalty notice was issued to the owner of the Stereo Club, after non-compliance issues were identified during previous visits.

At The Old House pub customers were found on site after 10pm resulting in a prohibition notice being issued to the owner.

Councillor Anna King, Cabinet member for community safety and engagement, said: “The council always tries to engage with businesses and explain the guidance to them before encouraging them to follow it, in line with the recognised approach.

“However, the owners of Stereo Club demonstrated a disregard for public safety when our officers visited on Friday and the council was left with no choice other than to take action.

“With Covid-19 infections on the rise, we all have a responsibility to play our part in trying to reduce these concerning levels.

“On our part, we have to ensure Northampton businesses are not flouting the rules and helping to protect residents’ safety.”

The owner of the Old House has contacted the Chronicle & Echo to say an official complaint has been launched against the prohibition notice.

He claims that two women were in the pub just before 10pm and one needed to use the bathroom. The second woman did not want to wait alone outside so asked to wait inside. She was told she could as long as she remained seated. The owner says both women left by 10.06pm.

These are the second and third Northampton businesses to be fined by the council for breaking Covid-19 rules after a St James bar was also fined earlier this month.Editor's note: An earlier version of this story, in the headline, said both venues had been fined. The Old House has not been fined, it has been issued with a prohibition notice, which owners are appealing against.

Message from the editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you