Two Bridgend c-stores caught breaching COVID rules

Officials have warned six more businesses, including two convenience stores, in Bridgend they could be closed for breaching coronavirus guidelines.

Officers from the Shared Regulatory Service (SRS) found staff at two convenience stores, two takeaways, a hairdressers and a small shop failed to comply with regulations for reasons like not wearing masks or enforcing social distancing.

Between 14-18 December, officials served improvement notices to Kumar Stores, Premier Mill View, Peppinos Pizza, Cheeky Chillies, Hairstop and Mary Matha Enterprises for breaching Welsh Government regulations.

According to forms completed by SRS enforcement officers, staff at Kumar Stores, a convenience store at Y Wern, Bettws, failed to take reasonable measures to ensure social distancing within the shop. They were given an improvement notice on 16 December and instructed to implement a one-way system and limit the number of people in the shop at one time.

On the same day, SRS officers served a notice to staff at convenience store Premier Mill View, Mill View, Maesteg because they failed to ensure social distancing between people inside and outside the shop and take reasonable steps to make sure staff and customers wore masks.

Mary Matha Enterprises, a small shop which sells bread, cakes and confectionery at Y Wern, Bettws, was also given a notice for failing to restrict the number of people in the store and maintain social distancing.

Haidressers Hairstop, Bridgend Rd, Maesteg was given a notice after officers found staff failed to ensure social distancing and limit close contact between people by using PPE or changing the layout of the premises.

On 17 December, officers visited Cheeky Chillies, John St, Porthcawl and gave staff a notice for serving customers without wearing face masks and ensuring customers kept two metres apart.

The next day, officers gave a notice to Peppino’s Pizza, Cross St Nant-y-Moel after they caught four members of staff working closely without masks. They advised them to also install screens in the premises, although this is not compulsory.

The SRS, a partnership between South Wales Police and Bridgend, Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan councils, carries out checks on licensed premises to ensure they comply with government guidelines.

Businesses are usually given 48 hours to comply with the terms of an improvement notice. ailure to comply can result in closure, a fixed penalty notice or being taken to court.

SRS officers have issued 30 improvement notices to businesses in Bridgend County Borough and temporarily closed three for breaching Welsh Government coronavirus rules.

So far, no businesses in the area have been permanently closed for breaking the rules.