A pub has been shut down after ignoring lockdown laws by serving booze to customers inside.

The owners of the Wheatsheaf Inn in Cropwell Bishop has also been given £1,000 fines, while three customers found drinking in there were each given £200 fines.

The prohibition notice means the premises are banned from allowing even takeaway customers to enter.  

Nottinghamshire Police officers found three people sitting drinking with the landlord present when they visited the Wheatsheaf on Wednesday (27 January). 

On inspection, council officers found over a dozen empty beer and wine bottles, leading them to believe the outlet had also previously served other customers with alcohol.

Rushcliffe Inspector Craig Berry said: “Nottinghamshire Police and local councils have been working together throughout the pandemic to ensure people’s safety and where people risk public safety by flouting the national legislation we will take firm action.

“We understand businesses are struggling at the moment through loss of trade but our overriding concern is keeping people safe and we have a duty to ensure the law is upheld for the benefit of the entire community. 

“During these separate visits on Wednesday by the police and council, both venues were issued with a prohibition notice and a fixed penalty notice.

“We are pleased with the partnership approach and will not tolerate flouting the Covid-19 legislation and we will take positive action.”

Nottinghamshire Police was also called to a house in Swale Grove in Bingham following a report of a Covid breach where four men from different households was found.

Officers were quickly on attendance and issued all four with £200 fixed penalty notices. 

Inspector Berry added: “It was clear that the people were flouting the Covid-19 restrictions and created a situation where they were not only putting themselves at risk but their loved ones and everyone else they come into contact with.

“These restrictions are in place to prevent the spread of this deadly virus and to save lives.”