A LANDLORD who was found to be serving customers after midnight despite the national curfew has been fined £1000.

The recipient of the fine was one of two pub owners to be punished in Burnley over the last week, as police officers and the council clampdown on rule breakers.

In the second case, the FPN was issued after people who had not ordered food in the pub had been served alcohol – something which is currently against regulation.

Licensing Sergeant Gary Hennighan said: "It gives me no satisfaction whatsoever to issue these fines to licensees in the current climate.

"But this isn't the first time these two pubs have come to our attention for the wrong reasons over the last few weeks.

"We have tried to help them get it right but their actions have been disrespectful to their fellow licensees who are abiding and finding it tough.

"We will be fair where we can but there is a time when enough is enough."

Blackburn with Darwen Council also confirmed five businesses in the borough had been slapped with fines for coronavirus-related offences over the last week following work by public protection officers.

Two takeaways in the town were fined £1000 each for serving customers after 10pm, while two other premises in Blackburn and Darwen have received fixed penalties for £1000 for failing to serve food with alcohol.

All offences were contrary to The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (Very High) (England) Regulations 2020.

A further £1000 fixed penalty notice has been issued to a Blackburn barber who failed to record contacts for track and trace purposes as required by law.

Councillor Mohammed Khan, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "As tough as the restrictions may be, they are in place to keep us all safe and well during this unprecedented public health crisis. We have to take a hard line on any businesses flouting the rules and I hope these fines will make those involved think twice about doing something similar again.

"My thanks to our Public Protection Team who are working incredibly hard. The majority of the businesses they visit to are adhering to the guidelines and I’m so grateful for their efforts."