Lockdown laws explained: Why one Harrogate pub was handed a prohibition order and others were not

On one of the hottest weekends of the year so far, thirsty punters flocked to The Coach & Horses, Blues Bar and Three's A Crowd for a much longed-for pint of freshly poured beer.

Social distancing measures were adhered to, the landlords say, and the beer was only available to take away.

But after police and council officers were called out, the weekend tipple in the sun ended in controversy as a prohibition notice was served and verbal abuse was hurled at council staff.

What are the rules - and how were they broken?

Pubs and bars were ordered to shut on March 20, as part of the UK's attempt to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

The government said they could reopen on July 4 at the earliest - if the UK meets targets to suppress the virus and its impact.

But after planning permission laws were relaxed in April, some pubs have been operating as takeaways and serving beer-on-the-go.

This is well within the rules, which also state customers must observe social distancing and toilets are closed.

But setting up tables and chairs for customers within or near pubs is not permitted. It is understood this is why The Coach & Horses was handed a prohibition notice.

What does the council say?

Harrogate Borough Council has warned it will "take all necessary enforcement action if a business breaks the current coronavirus lockdown legislation."

It said enforcement officers visited the town centre on Saturday and breaches of the lockdown rules were witnessed.

Advice was given to the licensees of two premises reminding them of the law.

And although the licensee of The Coach & Horses followed the initial advice, the pub opened again on Sunday and a further breach of the regulations was committed, the council said.

Officers returned to the pub and the prohibition notice was served.

What do the landlords say?

The Blues Bar, which did not breach any regulations, said the negative feedback to last weekend's events in the West Park area had made it reconsider its position.

It said the reopening of The Coach & Horses and Three's A Crowd gave it a feeling of "moving forward" but has now said "closing again seems the right thing to do."

The Blues Bar said it will not serve customers again until the government announces more reopening measures in July.

Licensee John Quinlan, of Three's A Crowd, said it had done everything possible to follow the current government guidelines.

No one had been allowed inside the bar at the weekend and it had not put out any tables or chairs for customers, Mr Quinlan said.

But he added he could not have predicted the number of people who would turn up on Sunday when some customers congregated on West Park.

"We are a responsible operator," Mr Quinlan said. "The majority of our guests were sensible and followed the social distancing measures set out with only a few that decided to ignore these."

Mr Quinlan said he was considering bringing back Three's A Crowd's takeaway service this weekend.

The Coach & Horses was unavailable for comment.

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter

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