Anglesey Council has served its first £1,000 fixed penalty notice on a retailer ignoring Coronavirus regulations.

The local retailer, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was served with the £1,000 fixed penalty notice and compliance notice after refusing to close during the current (alert level 4) lockdown.

The business was classed are a premises required to be closed under the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No5) (Wales) Regulations 2020.

Anglesey Chief Public Protection Officer, Les Pursglove, said, “We’re grateful to the vast majority of Anglesey businesses who have been working with us during the pandemic, despite the obvious frustration and financial hardship caused by the Coronavirus crisis.”

“So it’s extremely disappointing that we’ve had to issue this fixed penalty notice to this one retailer, who ignored our warnings. Imposing a fine of this size really was a last resort.”

He added, “Our Public Protection officers will continue to carry out proactive visits to retailers to ensure compliance. Whilst we still try to provide the necessary guidance, continued and blatant breaches of the Coronavirus restrictions will not be tolerated, as in this example.”

“We will respond swiftly to intelligence or complaints received about Coronavirus breaches within the business, hospitality or tourism sectors.”

Anglesey residents can contact the County Council if they see businesses or retailers putting customers or staff in harm’s way by flouting the regulations. Please call 01248 752840 or email: ehealth@anglesey.gov.wales

Ends 5.2.21