A Ffostrasol pub has been fined £1,000 for “showing blatant disregard” for coronavirus rules after customers were discovered drinking inside.

As part of checks leading up to the May Bank Holiday weekend, officers from Ceredigion’s Public Protection Team were carrying out routine joint patrols with officers from Dyfed-Powys Police when they found a small number of customers drinking inside the premises of the Ffostrasol Arms on Friday, 30 April.

Officers said the customers were also not following the rules on keeping a social distance and wearing face coverings.

The pub was issued a £1,000 Fixed Penalty Notice, with some customers also handed £60 fines for breaking the rules.

It was the second time the pub had flouted coronavirus rules after it was issued with a closure notice by public protection officers in October 2020 for breaching Covid-19 regulations.

Ceredigion council said: “The requirement for hospitality businesses to stay closed had only just been eased that week to allow businesses such as licensed premises to reopen their outdoor areas.

“It was therefore extremely disappointing to find a business showing such a blatant disregard to public safety and the law by allowing some of its customers to drink indoors.

“As a result, a Fixed Penalty Notice was issued as well as a Premises Improvement Notice which required the business to put in place certain improvements in order to reduce the risk of exposure to coronavirus on the premises.

“In addition, some of the customers who were found drinking inside the premises have also been issued a £60 Fixed Penalty Notice by Dyfed-Powys Police.

“Officers from the council and the police continue to conduct visits to premises throughout the county and offer support and advice to businesses.

“The vast majority of Ceredigion businesses comply with the coronavirus regulations and provide a safe environment for their customers.”