Southampton Bar Caught Red-Handed Breaking Covid Rules
At around 5:45pm on Friday 27 November, a licensing officer spotted the door ajar at Ceno on Highfield Lane. Inside, about 15 people were drinking at the bar – a clear breach of the national lockdown rules.
Penalty Issued After Ignoring Covid Restrictions
During the recent lockdown, all licensed premises were ordered to stay shut to curb the virus spread. The officer quickly dispersed the crowd and warned the owner. But with rules blatantly ignored, a fixed penalty notice was handed out as a last resort.
Council and Police to Review Licence
Police are now teaming up with Southampton City Council to review the bar’s licence, signalling tougher action ahead.
Police Deliver Stern Warning to Businesses
PC Lee Scott from the licensing team said:
“We are working hard to ensure everyone follows restrictions and stays safe during the pandemic. We work with partners, including the council, to tackle breaches quickly and reassure the public.” “The hospitality guidelines are clear – licensed venues were not allowed to open during the lockdown. It’s very disappointing that Ceno allowed about 15 people to drink at the bar, blatantly ignoring the rules.” “We hope this sends a strong message to other businesses – breaching Covid rules will be dealt with robustly to protect everyone’s safety.”
