Council officers have been forced to issue a business closure notice to a barber shop in Plumstead after it tried to remain open amidst the coronavirus lockdown.

Greenwich Council said this was its first business closure notice served during the pandemic.

Members of the public had reported that the barber shop in Plumstead was continuing to open, and observations from council officers confirmed that the owner was flouting lockdown rules.

On March 23, the Government ordered all non-essential businesses and premises, including pubs, beauty salons and barbers, to close.

So in line with government restrictions during the pandemic, the council decided to take enforcement action to close the barbers.

Cllr Jackie Smith, cabinet member for children’s services and community safety said: “We all need to come together at a time like this and stay at home to help save lives, which means any non-essential businesses in the borough should remain closed for the time being.

“Non-essential businesses like pubs, car washes, barbers, and beauty and nail salons, should abide by the restrictions, as we will not hesitate to take enforcement action against businesses that are not following the rules."

A council task force, which involves its CCTV, community safety enforcement and environmental health teams, has been set up to monitor and tackle non-compliant businesses and premises.

If you would like to report a non-essential business that remains open, please email tradingstandards@royalgreenwich.gov.uk.

Cllr Smith added: “Thank you to the majority of businesses in the borough for their compliance during this difficult time.”

The council said the government has set out a package to support businesses through this period of disruption, and Royal Greenwich has already issued over £5 million of the small business grant fund which the government has made available.