Pub & Cafe In Market Harborough Forced To Close ‘Outdoor’ Areas

A pub and café in Market Harborough have had to close their outdoor seating areas, after they were deemed to be breaching government Coronavirus regulations.

The Nags Head on Church Street was only open for six hours on Monday, before a Council inspector told staff the area, formally smoking space, was considered ‘enclosed’ so not ‘outdoors’.

It was the first time in over five months the pub had opened and it has now had to close again.

A spokesperson for the pub told Hfm: “We are very sorry this has happened, as our loyal customers have waited such a long time to socialise again and were so happy to think their lives could now be getting back to normal.”

The Inspector also told staff at Aldwinkles Coffee House, also on Church Street, that its courtyard area, which was being used to serve customers, breached the rules and had to be closed.

Owner Moragh Hargreaves spoke to Hfm:

The cafe is now continuing to serve takeaways.

Harborough District Council says the compliance checks are taking place to ensure businesses reopen in a way that is safe for staff and customers.

Government rules state to be considered ‘outdoors’ shelters, marquees and other structures can have a roof, but need to have at least 50% of the area of their walls open at all times whilst in use.

Council Leader Phil King spoke to Hfm:

 

In relation to the Nags Head, a spokesman for Harborough District Council told Hfm: “Now that lockdown restrictions have eased, we are working with businesses to ensure they can reopen in a way that is safe for staff and customers.

“As part of our ongoing Covid compliance checks, we found there was some concern at the Nags Head pub in Market Harborough that enclosed areas were being used for serving which would not be deemed ‘outdoors’ in the current Government coronavirus regulations.

“The pub has agreed to voluntarily close to allow time to demonstrate compliance.”

In relation to Aldwickles Cafe, the Council spokesman said: “As part of our ongoing Covid compliance checks, we advised Aldwinkles coffee house that covered areas were being used for serving which are not deemed to be ‘outdoors’ in the current Government coronavirus regulations.

“We provided advice on what could be done to make the area compliant for use; in the meantime, the café will continue to operate a takeaway service.”