Coronavirus

Council say they don’t want Cinema & Co to close – just to follow the rules

Published

2 years ago

30th November 2021

Editor

Swansea Council have released a statement following a judge’s decision to shut an independent cinema that has refused to follow COVID safety rules.

The cinema must now close for “56 days or if the business provides written information to the authority evidencing that they have put in place reasonable measures to minimise the transmission of COVID-19.”

Cinema owner, Anna Redfern was ordered to pay Swansea Council’s court costs of £5,265.

In a written statement, Swansea Council said: “We welcome the decision today by the district judge, which we hope will encourage the owner of Cinema & Co to carry out the necessary work to protect staff and customers.

“During this entire process, the Council did not want to close down the business – indeed we have provided millions of pounds of funding, help and support so businesses can operate safely during the pandemic.

“We want Cinema & Co open and trading, the same as the majority of businesses in Swansea and Wales, who are following the rules and are doing all they can to keep people safe.

“We will continue to offer support and advice to Cinema & Co to ensure those measures are in place and that they can operate safely.

“The coronavirus virus is still with us and significant concerns remain about the potential impact of the new Omicron variant.

“The measures and regulations currently in place are vital to help slow the spread of the virus and to protect the NHS”.

Cinema & Co has ignored two previous closure notices, one from the council on Public Health grounds and one from the Welsh Government through COVID legislation.

In court, the council’s barrister said if the venue fails to close “there is going to be an application for her to be in contempt of court which could result in a custodial sentence.”

On twitter, Richard Taylor, a former Brexit Party & Abolish the Welsh Assembly candidate who was behind the £60,000 fundraiser for Anna Redfern, said she planned to reopen tomorrow.

(Lead image: Swansea Council)