Wetherspoon pub served with improvement notice over staff distancing

The notice comes after a number of cases of coronavirus were identified at the North and South Wales Bank pub in Wrexham.

Public Health Wales has carried out an investigation following the positive tests and said that while it found measures to protect customers were in place, it was not satisfied the guidelines were followed in staff areas.

As a result an improvement notice has been served on the premises by Wrexham Council’s Public Protection Department.

Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Communities, Partnerships, Public Protection and Community Safety, said: “While social distancing measures were in place and generally maintained when staff were dealing with customers, our investigation has shown that there was a lack of adherence to the guidelines in staff areas.

“In order to protect the public we served this notice. Every establishment must follow the rules to help keep Wrexham safe.”

In addition, Public Health Wales said it is reiterating its call for customers of the pub to be vigilant for symptoms of coronavirus.

Dr Graham Brown, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control for Public Health Wales, said: “While the positive cases that have been identified in this incident have been among the staff, and staff-customer interaction appears to have mostly followed social distancing requirements, there is still a small risk that customers could be affected.

“Immediate contacts of those who have tested positive have been identified and contacted. Anyone who was in the pub between August 9 and 20 and develops even mild symptoms should immediately self-isolate and get a test.

“Getting a coronavirus test is free and simple to do, either by visiting www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling the free number 119.

“A test can be done at home with a free kit, or by visiting a local testing centre. The identification of these cases is evidence that the Test, Trace, Protect strategy is working, and no outbreak has been declared.

“As we move through the recovery phase of the Coronavirus pandemic, we expect to see clusters in different settings. We manage any clusters of Coronavirus appropriately, including by providing advice around infection prevention and control, and by supporting contact tracing where required.

“We remind the public and business owners that Coronavirus is still circulating in the community. We all have a vital role in preventing the spread of Coronavirus by sticking to social distancing guidelines – that’s staying two metres away from others, and washing hands regularly.”

A spokesperson for JD Wetherspoon said: "Wetherspoon has strict policies in place to ensure staff do not work in close proximity for anything other than very short periods of time, and, if such proximity cannot be avoided, that the necessary mitigating measures, such as the use of PPE, are implemented.

"It is disappointing that procedures were not followed on this occasion and all employees will be retrained and reminded of their obligations in this area.

"Since reopening in Wales on 3 August, Wetherspoon has implemented a number of social distancing measures in all pubs: tables have been spaced out, floor screens have been installed between tables, as well as “till surround screens” at the bar.  Staff are conducting regular surface cleaning and, on average, 10 hand sanitisers have been installed in each pub, with additional units back of house for staff."