A barber shop and a beauty salon have both been fined after being caught breaking lockdown rules.
Fresh Fades barbers and Lash Lab beauticians, both on Chester Street, Wrexham, were fined £1,000 each after opening their businesses during the current lockdown.
All customers and employees who were present at both shops at the time were also hit with a £60 fine.
A spokesman for Wrexham Council said: “The law is quite clear that certain premises may not open and serve customers at the present time to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
“It’s also very clear that people should only be leaving their homes for essential purposes.”
Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Communities, Partnerships, Public Protection and Community Safety, said both businesses showed a “blatant disregard for the law and public safety at a time when Wrexham is at the highest infection rate in Wales.”
“There can be no excuses,” he said.
“We are all aware of the regulations and it’s up to everyone to play their part to bring the infection rates down and see the end to lockdown sooner rather than later.
“Wrexham Council and North Wales Police have been really impressed with the response from the vast majority of businesses in Wrexham who have done everything they are required to do including, in many cases closing their business at considerable cost to themselves.”
In support of businesses that have complied with law, and as a result of the “public health risk”, public protection officers and police are now being “extremely vigilant” over further breachers, Mr Jones said.
He said they “will not hesitate to issue fines” to those who fail to comply – and to customers and employees who are complicit.
Businesses are now being warned those who flout the rules will face a £1,000 fine on the first occasion, rising ultimately to £10,000 for subsequent incidents.
“Please do not be tempted to open your business in contravention of the current rules,” Mr Jones added.
“That includes seeing customers in the privacy of your own home or theirs to provide services such as hairdressing, nails, beauty treatments or similar.”
Wrexham Town Inspector, Luke Hughes, said: “The message is clear, if you are caught breaking the regulations in this way you will be fined and face possible further action.
“It’s extremely disappointing to see certain businesses, their staff and customers behaving in breach of lockdown regulations.
“The regulations are there to protect us and the majority of people and businesses understand this and are willing to comply and make the necessary sacrifices for the good of us all.”
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