A Ceredigion barbershop has been slapped with a prohibition notice after continuing to cut hair during the lockdown.

The unnamed shop was providing services despite the prohibition on all barbers and hairdressers opening during the lockdown.

An off-duty officer from Ceredigion County Council’s public protection team saw barber services being provided in the county on Sunday 3 May, in full view of passing public.

Barbers have been required to close since the end of March when the lockdown period began. Inspections by council staff have confirmed that those rules have widely been observed across the sector.

The restrictions require businesses such as barbers to ‘cease to carry on that business or to provide that service.’ The only exception to this rule is where businesses are requested to continue to operate by Welsh Ministers or local authorities.

Any person responsible for a business who fails to comply with the requirement, without reasonable cause, commits an offence that is punishable by an unlimited fine.

Enforcement action will be considered against any business that fails to comply with its legal obligations, including the imposition of fines and recovery of costs.

The Welsh Government and Ceredigion County Council are providing a range of grants and other means of support to local businesses during this lockdown period.

More information on this support can be found on Ceredigion County Council’s website at http://www.ceredigion.gov.uk/business/covid-19-support-for-businesses-and-employers/