ST HELENS Council could use CCTV to crack down on non-essential businesses continuing to remain open during the coronavirus lockdown.
Last month Prime Minister Boris Jonson took the unprecedented step of ordering the closure of pubs and restaurants, except for take-away food.
A range of other ‘non-essential’ businesses such as theatres, cinemas, gyms, hairdressers and barber shops were also ordered to close.
Only stores selling ‘essential goods’ such as supermarkets, pharmacies, post offices and hardware stores have been told they can remain open.
But this hasn’t stopped some non-essential business from trying to get around the rules.
One business owner made national headlines after a video emerged of him pinned to the floor by four police officers at his Dog House Vaping Co shop in Thatto Heath.
The St Helens owner had claimed he was providing a key service selling products that help people give up smoking – but ended up in handcuffs.
One local betting shop was also found by Trading Standards to be selling bread in an attempt to be considered exempt from the guidelines.
St Helens Council says it is working closely with businesses to support many to “diversify” to adapt to the new trading conditions.
However, the town hall said they will use a range of intelligence – alongside CCTV – to catch any businesses flouting the rules.
A St Helens Council spokesman said: “We are working closely with all our affected businesses and have been supporting many to diversify from their usual offer, such as converting to takeaway and delivery options as a way to keep on trading during these uncertain times.
“We are also providing businesses with updates on government guidance as we get it. That means we are keeping in close contact with them and are working alongside them.
“Where there is concern that a business may have been operating in a way it should not have we are using a range of intelligence including options like CCTV to assess whether that is the case.”
Downing Street has said shops that breach the coronavirus lockdown measures will face unlimited fines.
Trading Standards and licensing teams are investigating and enforcing the government measures.
If you suspect a non-essential business is still operating then you are asked to report it to Trading Standards on 01744 676789.
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