Harrogate pub served prohibition notice after fears that drinkers were flouting social distance rules over weekend

Harrogate Borough Council issued the warning to The Coach & Horses, on West Park, Harrogate, on Sunday after concerns were raised that customers were ignoring social distancing rules.

The council said while pubs are allowed to offer take away food and drink, they are not permitted to operate any kind of beer garden within - or near - their property.

A council spokesman said: "Our enforcement team visited the town centre on Saturday. Breaches of the lockdown regulations were witnessed. Advice was given to the licensees of two premises, reminding them of the law.

"Sadly, one premises – the Coach and Horses – opened again on the Sunday. Although the licensee followed the initial advice, a further breach of the regulations was committed.

"Our officers returned to the premises the same day and a prohibition notice was served.

"While on site, our staff were subjected to verbal abuse from customers.

"We will take all necessary enforcement action if a business breaks the current coronavirus lockdown legislation."

The prohibition order could lead to the loss of the landlord's alcohol licence.

Ignoring the order could also lead to criminal charges.

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

Prime Minister Boris Johnson last week hinted that pubs could reopen before July.

The Coach & Horses was unavailable for comment.

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper