Beaujolais Day businesses thanked for following the rules

In the build-up to Thursday all businesses that chose to promote Beaujolais Day were provided with information by the council’s licensing team about current coronavirus restrictions.

Licensing officers, working with colleagues from the police, were out throughout the day and evening visiting premises including those in the city centre, Uplands, Mumbles, Clydach, Brynmill and Pontarddulais, providing further advice and ensuring the rules were being followed.

They have reported that in the vast majority of cases businesses were well-run.

Unfortunately having visited Old Havana on York Street earlier in the day and advising that stricter controls were needed these were not in place when they returned. The premises has now been served with a closure notice.

Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Delivery & Operations, David Hopkins, said: “Beaujolais Day had to be different this year in Swansea and I would like to thank the many businesses who worked with us and followed the rules, along with our licensing team and South Wales Police who worked in partnership to encourage the public to celebrate responsibly and safely.

“Our licensing officers and South Wales Police were working together across the city last night to support businesses to do the right thing and to give advice to visitors to promote social distancing.

“Since the fire-break lockdown ended there has been a very high compliance with the national restrictions in Swansea and we are very grateful for this. The vast majority of people have been doing their bit and the joint activities taking place between ourselves and South Wales Police proved very successful in helping businesses and customers to help prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus.”

He added: “With the Christmas season approaching I hope that this continues and that premises, as well as customers, take all the precautions they can to keep themselves and others safe.

“This means no more than four people can meet up unless they are from the same household, and if that is the case verification of address is needed.

“Customers must pre-book in advance, there is table service only and masks must be worn indoors until the customer is seated.

“It is very disappointing that a closure notice has had to be served on one premises especially as they had received advice during the day but had not acted upon it.

“We want to work with all licensees in Swansea to ensure that people who go out can enjoy themselves in a safe and responsible way.”

Chief Inspector James Ratti, of South Wales Police, said: “We worked very closely with the local authority and the businesses to plan this Beaujolais Day which was expected to be very different to previous years’ events.

“We had a number of additional officers deployed to engage with revellers and I am very pleased that the vast majority of people acted responsibly and enjoyed themselves while adhering to the law.

“As the festive season begins, our high visibility patrols will continue under our ‘Operation Winter’.”