Pendle pubs ordered to "take names or face fines" from today

Pendle Council said the fixed penalty fines are being introduced to ensure businesses comply with restrictions to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

From today (Friday, September 18), all premises and venues must have a system in place to record contact details of their customers, visitors and staff by law to help stop coronavirus (COVID-19) from spreading.

The Council said pubs, restaurants, leisure venues and hairdressers must collect this information or risk a fixed penalty notice.

It added that under the new enforcement, venues could also be fined for taking bookings for groups of more than 6 people and those mixing from different households.

The following details must be stored for 21 days and shared with NHS Test and Trace if requested:

- Names

- Contact numbers

- Date of visit

- Arrival and departure times

Councillor David Whipp, deputy leader of Pendle Council, said: "It’s extremely important that businesses record this information.

"Collecting customer and visitor details is vital for contact tracing and we can’t do it without the support and co-operation of our local businesses.

"Thank you to everyone who has already put good working systems in place.

"But please be aware that anyone who fails to collect the required information could be issued with a fixed penalty notice."

Michael Duck, commercial team leader in environmental health, added: "As well as it now being a legal requirement for businesses to collect contact details, venues could be fined if they fail to ensure their premises are COVID-Secure.

"With the introduction of the rule of 6, this could include taking bookings for groups of more than 6 people."

Councillor Whipp stressed that with the COVID-19 virus spreading strongly across the whole of Pendle, it's more important than ever for everyone to be careful and take every precaution.

"It’s important that we all do everything we can to stop the transmission of the virus in its tracks," he said.

"If you’re heading out for a coffee, meal or a pint, for example, please make sure that you leave your details at the venue so that you can be contacted if someone who was there at the same time tests positive.

"We will only be able to start seeing an easing of restrictions when the infection rate lowers.

"We can stop the infection spreading by self-isolating if we test positive or if we come into contact with someone else who has."

You can report a business which is not following Government legislation and guidance on Pendle Council’s website.