Hebburn bar forced to close over Covid breach hits back at South Tyneside Council

A Hebburn bar, which was ordered to close for seven days for breaching Covid restrictions, says the council is treating them as ‘scapegoats’.
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Hebburn Sports and Social Club was among three bars to be closed for seven days from Wednesday, September 23, after South Tyneside Council said they failed to ensure a Covid-secure environment for the protection of staff and customers.

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Hebburn Sports and Social Club had previously been identified as a ‘premises of concern’ and was being closely monitored, the local authority says.

Hebburn Sports And Social Club, HebburnHebburn Sports And Social Club, Hebburn
Hebburn Sports And Social Club, Hebburn

A council spokesman added: “Officers visiting on Saturday (19 September) witnessed the venue still open and mostly full at the required 10pm closing time, with little evidence of social distancing rules being effectively managed.”

But taking to social media, Hebburn Sports and Social Club claimed ‘the council want to close one of the busiest premises in South Tyneside to get the council out of their mess by not controlling the infection’.

Club owners added: “Hebburn Sports Club are the scapegoats and the support from South Tyneside Council, at best, is disgusting.”

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"Staff and customers safety is our main priority and will continue to be in the future.”

The club, which closed for a deep clean last month after a customer tested positive, stressed it will be compliant with the order and will remain closed for seven days.

The club also outlined on social media a number of points regarding the measures they have taken since reopening in July and claim to have CCTV which shows all of the public had left the building by 10pm on the evening in question and that the premises were closed.

A council spokesperson said: “Businesses have a right to appeal a direction notice, details of which are in the direction.

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“However we would like to stress that any enforcement action taken by the council is intended to protect the public.

“With cases of coronavirus rising across our community and extra restrictions put in place to help keep people safe, we have been left with no other option but to take action where businesses have repeatedly flouted the rules.”

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