COUNCIL officials are investigating businesses that have failed to comply with coronavirus guidelines.

Barrow Council said its public protection team was overseeing compliance with new rules brought in to keep the public safe after pubs, hairdressers and other businesses reopened at the weekend.

It comes after a group claiming to represent traders and landlords in the town accused the council of failing to ensure businesses were following guidelines on social distancing measures and usage of protective equipment.

A spokesman from the group, Barrow BID Concerned Ratepayers, claimed council officers told a Barwatch meeting of landlords they would not make checks on premises because it was ‘unsafe’.

He said: “If they’re saying it’s not safe then how are the public being kept safe?’

“They have got to ensure the legislation is enforced otherwise we could have another outbreak of Covid - and that would be a slap in the face to every frontline worker.

“Every venue was doing its own thing - nobody had a clue what rules were in place.”

Councillor Tony Callister, Barrow Council’s spokesman for licensing and public protection, said: “The public protection team met with licence-holders and have been out with the police to visit licensed premises and to offer advice and assistance prior to re-opening on July 4.

“They are currently investigating businesses that are not operating in a Covid secure manner under the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974.”

The council sent a warning to business ahead of the July 4 reopening, asking bosses to follow strict guidelines.

Government guidance stipulated that licensees must carry out a risk assessment on their own premises.

Cllr Callister said: “As with the reopening of non-essential shops just a couple of weeks ago, it is up to licensees to form their own operational plans based on their individual premises, their business and how they can adapt their operation to meet the criteria laid out by the government.”

He called on customers to ‘respect the rules’ to prevent spreading the virus.