A Wolverhampton furniture retailer has been fined for breaching lockdown rules, just days after the flooring store next door was fined for the same thing.
Household Furniture Centres, on the city’s Park Lane, Fallings Park was fined £1,000 for two breaches.
City of Wolverhampton Council officers visited the premises on 10 January and found shoppers were being allowed inside. Under the regulations the store can only operate collections or home delivery.
The officers were told by staff that the rules would be followed, but on 16 January customers were seen to be allowed inside.
As well as the business, the company’s director – listed at Companies House as Joan Blunt – was fined £1,000.
‘We know it has been a tough time for businesses, but it has been tough for all of us and most people are doing the right thing. It is beggars belief that businesses like this can be so selfish as to put people at risk and think the law does not apply to them. The national lockdown restrictions are there for a reason, they exist to protect us all from catching and spreading Covid. We will not hesitate to take action against any business we find to be breaching the restrictions. As seen in this case, we will also fine any director, manager or secretary of a company where we consider they have been personally responsible for breaching the regulations. We expect people in these positions to take their duties seriously and protect the public,’ says Cllr Steve Evans, Wolverhampton Council cabinet member for city environment.
Just days before the next-door Mayfair Carpets was fined the same amount and issued with a prohibition notice for continuing to operate during lockdown. Council officers visited the premises on 9 January and found that it was letting customers inside. It had a warning letter from the council on 7 January and numerous contacts on 7 and 8 January to provide extensive advice on how to operate in line with government guidance.
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