A West Midlands flooring retailer has been fined £4,000 for breaking lockdown rules by allowing customers in the store on two occasions.
NCF Carpets, in Cape Hill, Smethwick was issued with a prohibition notice in January after it allowed customers in.
West Midlands Police officers and trading standards officers witnessed customers again in the store earlier this month. Three fixed penalty notices totalling £4,000 were issued.
Flooring stores are classified as non-essential and can only operate by click and collect or home delivery.
‘We are doing all we can to support businesses across Sandwell, to help them operate legally and to provide financial support if they need to close due to the pandemic. But our primary concern has always been the safety of staff, customers and residents. We will continue to come down hard on businesses who breach the rules and show a clear lack of concern for the safety and wellbeing of their community,’ says Maria Crompton, Sandwell Council deputy leader.
The store is pictured by Google Maps in May 2019.
