Caerphilly Observer
Member Sign in Manage Membership
Become a Member - no ads
Menu
  • News
    • Senedd
    • Business
    • Newport
    • Opinion
  • Sport
    • Rugby union
    • Football
  • Membership & Subscriptions
  • Notices
  • Obituaries
  • About
    • Advertise
  • Sponsored Content
Menu

Businesses told to improve coronavirus safety measures – or face closure

News | Rhys Williams | Published: 17:00, Thursday September 17th, 2020.
Last updated: 17:05, Thursday September 17th, 2020
The Royal Arms Hotel in Rhymney, New Red Chilli in Blackwood and Marmaris Barber Shop #2 in Ystrad Mynach
The Royal Arms Hotel in Rhymney, New Red Chilli in Blackwood and Marmaris Barber Shop #2 in Ystrad Mynach

Three businesses have recently been told they must implement coronavirus safety measures – or face closure.

New Red Chilli in Blackwood, the Royal Arms Hotel in Rhymney and Marmaris Barber Shop #2 in Ystrad Mynach have all been handed improvement notices by Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Trading Standards team.

New Red Chilli was inspected by Trading Standards on September 14 following a complaint.

It was found to have failed to arrange its seating to allow for social distancing and had no contact tracing systems in place.

It was given 48 hours to improve or face closure.

When the Royal Arms Hotel was inspected on September 15, it was found to have not been recording phone numbers for contact tracing and had failed to make sure customers social distanced from each other.

Businesses could be forced to close if they fail to follow coronavirus guidelines

It was given 72 hours to improve or be face being forced to shut.

Meanwhile, Marmaris Barber Shop #2 failed to ensure “appropriate use of PPE” and failed to inform customers of “appropriate information”.

It also failed to carry out strict cleaning regimes and had “incomplete” contact tracing information, according to Caerphilly County Borough Council.

Local authorities in Wales have been given the power to force businesses that have failed to comply with coronavirus safety measures to close.

Councillor Nigel George, council cabinet member for public protection, said: “We are supporting businesses to both understand and comply with the law.


Sign-up to our daily newsletter


“These rules are in place to protect both employees and the public.

“We will take action against those found to be in breach of the law.”

Between March 23 and August 28, enforcement officers from the council’s Trading Standards, licensing and environmental health teams visited 1,174 shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants to advise on coronavirus safety measures, and gave “proactive advice” to 1,750 premises.

Written warnings were sent to 66 premises, with three prohibition notices and two fixed penalty notices issued.

Two premises were forced to close down and six more voluntarily closed during that time frame, in which the council said it dealt with 1,329 queries from the public.

An image appearing to show a lack of social distancing at the checkouts at Morrisons Caerphilly
An image appearing to show a lack of social distancing at the checkouts at Morrisons Caerphilly

Meanwhile, supermarket chain Morrisons has said it will be retraining cashiers after an image, which appears to show a lack of social distancing at the checkouts at its Caerphilly town store, emerged on social media.

A Morrisons spokeswoman said: “There are designated areas at the end of each of our tills for customers to pack their shopping, whilst maintaining the correct social distance.

“Unfortunately, on this occasion it appears both customers paid at the same time.

“We are retraining the cashiers in question to prevent this from happening again.”  

Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts.

Become a member today

Google
Twitter

Latest News

  • Concerns raised in Senedd as dentists quit NHS contracts in WalesWednesday, March 18, 2026
  • RSPCA Cymru is appealing to find this horse's owner
    RSPCA launches appeal to find injured horse’s ownerWednesday, March 18, 2026
  • The A469 between Pontlottyn and Tirphil
    Council still hopeful of A469 funding deal but is willing to go it aloneWednesday, March 18, 2026
  • The greyhound racing track in Ystrad Mynach
    Welsh greyhound racing ban backed by Senedd MembersWednesday, March 18, 2026
  • Police believe this man might have information that could help with the investigation
    Police investigating after car and bank cards stolen in burglaryWednesday, March 18, 2026
  • Thumbs up for new padel court at empty industrial unitTuesday, March 17, 2026

Find out how the communities of Caerphilly County Borough get their names

Caerphilly

Legal & Public Notices

  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesThursday, March 5, 2026
  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesFriday, February 6, 2026
  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesFriday, January 23, 2026
  • Notice of application for a variation of a premises licence: Morgan Jones Bowling ClubThursday, January 15, 2026
© 2009-2026 Caerphilly Media Ltd, Caerphilly Miners Centre for the Community Watford Road Caerphilly, CF83 1BJ. Incorporated in Wales No. 07604006.