The council was left with no option but to shut down six businesses during the course of lockdown, after they broke health and safety rules relating to the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown laws.
Leeds City Council confirmed that six prohibiltion notices have now been issued across the city since the Covid-19 outbreak first hit the city. This means the businesses had to close some or all of their premises for the rest of the emergency period.
Among the shops to receive a notice was Revo Vapes, a vape store in Morley. Back in early April the council received reports that it was still serving customers from a window hatch, despite lockdown laws requiring all non-essential shops to remain closed until further notice.
The other five businesses to receive the notices from the council include one other 'retail' and four 'leisure' businesses. This is the only information the council was able to provide at this time.
The businesses were warned that if they continued to serve members of the public by breaking rules they will be prosecuted in court and the penalty is an unlimited fine.
In a statement issued after the Revo Vapes was sanctioned, a spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: “We would like to remind businesses and members of the public that this new legislation is in place to protect public health and save lives.
"We will always be fair and balanced when dealing with instances where the regulations are not being adhered to, but where operators refuse to cooperate and continue to break the law we will take appropriate enforcement action."
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A prohibition notice served under The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020 requires businesses to close all or part of their premises during the emergency period.
The government has now stated all non-essential stores can reopen from June 15 and from June 1, outdoor markets and car showrooms will reopen - as long as they meet Covid-19 security guidelines.
