Corby pubs told by police to keep their doors shut after local coronavirus concerns

Nine Corby pubs have been visited by police officers today after worried local people said they believed that pubs were ignoring a government order to shut their doors to try to stop the spread of coronavirus.

On Friday (March 20) evening, Boris Johnson told licensed premises as well as cafes and restaurants that they must close as soon as possible to stop customers from spreading Covid-19.

But yesterday (Saturday) furious people in Corby told reporters from the Northants Telegraph of at least three pubs that appeared to be defying the order.

Corby Council leader Tom Beattie said he was ‘disappointed’ that some pubs appeared to be non-compliant.

Today Corby Police visited nine pubs in the town and found only one still open - offering takeaway. They were given advice by police about keeping within the new laws.

New powers granted to police at 2pm on Saturday mean that officers can immediately shut pubs that they believe are in contravention of the law.

One pub in the town, the Shire Horse in Willowbrook Road, told our reporter that they had decided to offer a takeaway service to try to keep afloat.

A statement from officers said: "In light of the new legislation to close all pubs and clubs in response to the #COVIDー19 virus - our officers have been proactively visiting licencing premises across the Northern Local Policing Area.

"Our officers in Corby have visited nine pubs in the town over the past two days following concerns raised on social media that some premises had remained open despite being ordered to close by the Government.

"Out of the nine pubs visited, eight had indeed closed while one, which was offering a take out service, was given advice in light of the new legislation.

"While officers in Wellingborough visited one pub in the town following concerns from members of the public that it was still open. The pub had been closed as ordered by Government."

There are currently 20 Covid-19 known cases in Northamptonshire - but the real figure is likely to be much higher. People are being advised to stay in their homes and to only go out for essential trips.

Leader of Corby Council Tom Beattie said: “It’s extremely disappointing that some pubs have chosen to ignore the Government’s advice to close.

“I’m pleased to see they have now seen sense, even if it did take a visit from the police.

“These are unprecedented and dangerous times and people must act sensibly and heed medical and scientific advice.”