A Ceredigion pub has been closed down for breaching coronavirus regulations.

A closure notice has been served on Ffostrasol Arms in Ffostrasol by county council public protection officers due to continuing non-compliance with the coronavirus regulations.

An improvement notice was served on the premises on Wednesday, but officers established that further contraventions of the regulations had been made and, in order to protect the public, a decision was made to close the premises.

A council spokesperson said the Ffostrasol Arms will remain closed until the pub can demonstrate improvements have been made and that they meet the requirements of the coronavirus regulations.

This is the second pub forced to close because of coronavirus regulation breaches.

The Mill Inn in Aberystwyth was issued with a closure notice last month but was allowed to reopen when owners demonstrated they were following the new rules.

Ceredigion County Council, supported by Dyfed-Powys Police, continue to step up their enforcement of businesses that are failing to keep their customers safe and to ensure that Covid-19 cases do not increase in the county, a spokesperson said.

“There is growing evidence across the country that where there are insufficient controls in pubs, clubs and bars, that these premises increase the risk of Covid-19 spreading in the community," the spokesperson added.

“The council will issue further closure notices where necessary to ensure compliance with the regulations.

“The council will act decisively if any business is found guilty of breaking Covid-19 Regulations. In the interest of public safety, all businesses need to ensure that they are compliant with the regulations at all times.

“Improvement notices are also being served on premises advising them to take action or face similar consequences.

“However, the council is pleased to see how many businesses are operating well to provide a safe environment for their customers. Many of those visited in recent weeks have made further improvements following the advice of the council’s public protection team.

“During the compliance visits, officers are checking that businesses are complying with the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions)(No 2) (Wales) Regulations 2020, and have the power to close, force improvements of review the premises licence or club premises certificate.”

All pubs and clubs must ensure that:

· A Test, Trace, Protect system is in place to accurately record all visits to the premises so that customers can be easily contacted in the event of a positive case linked to the venue. This includes customers’ name and telephone number.

· Social distancing of two metres is maintained, with adequate signage, distance between tables and seating, and procedures for managing walkways and toilet areas.

· All premises must provide table service only i.e. no ordering at the bar.

· All food and drink must be consumed at tables.

· Customers are not drinking and standing at the bar.

· Customers are not drinking alcohol whilst standing, unless they are standing at a tall table - in all other instances they must be seated.

· There is no live music, and that recorded music is only played at a low background level.

· Hospitality businesses, including pubs, cafes, restaurants and casinos, to close at 10pm.

Ffostrasol Arms’s premises closure notice came into force on Thursday, 15 October, at 4.40pm.