In a joint action by Cheshire Police and Halton Borough Council the Crow’s Nest Pub on Moorfield Road, Widnes has been closed for multiple breaches of Covid restrictions.

Officers from Cheshire Police attended the pub following reports of a disturbance on the evening of Friday 18 December. On entering the premises they observed a number of contraventions of safety measures and Covid restrictions.

Customers were observed mixing and mingling with different groups, moving around the premises without face coverings. Customers were also being served alcohol at the bar and without a substantial meal. Cheshire Police provided the evidence they obtained to Halton Borough Council which used its Public Health Coronavirus powers to issue a direction notice closing the premises.

A spokesperson for Halton Borough Council said: “The majority of Halton’s licensed premises are complying with the Government rules on Covid-safe practices and restrictions on the sale of alcohol which are intended to control the spread of Coronavirus. In this particular case the evidence obtained by the police indicated a complete disregard for those rules. In order to protect public health and prevent the spread of infection the Council was left with no option but to serve a direction notice to close the premises.”

 The closure took effect on 22 December and will be reviewed after 7 days.