The Milan Palace and the Tudor Rose have their licences suspended
Guests at the wedding at the Tudor Rose. Picture: Met Police
Two Southall businesses have had their shutters closed for three months following numerous breaches of the Covid-19 regulations. They both continued to host events with above the allowed number of people despite multiple warnings they were breaking the rules.
The Milan Palace and Tudor Rose in Southall, had their licences suspended following a hearing in front of the Ealing Council Licensing Committee on Monday, 16 November.
In addition to the closures, the Tudor Rose was handed a £1,000 fine for one breach and the Milan Palace was handed a fine of around £7,000 for three breaches.
In September and October, both venues hosted wedding ceremonies and other events which breached regulations put in place during the pandemic.
Following escalated join action by the Met and Ealing Council, both venues were brought before a licensing committee. The breaches happened on dates between Friday, 25 September and Sunday, 18 October.
During an event at the Tudor Rose on Tuesday, 13 October, an estimated 100-150 people were in attendance. Likewise, events at the Milan Palace, had more than 60 people attending ceremonies on various dates.
Chaudhry’s TKC restaurant in Southall may face similar action after police found approximately 100 guests at an event on Sunday 1 November.
Chief Superintendent Pete Gardner, West Area policing commander, said, “The brazen actions of these neighbouring venues were completely selfish - they deserve to have their licence temporarily stripped for putting their community at risk. Likewise, their attempts to ignore the rules shows utter contempt for the thousands of legitimate businesses across London who have made excellent efforts to keep their business COVID secure.
“This action alongside Ealing Council should be seen as a warning to those other businesses who flout the rules. Repeated breaches will result in escalated enforcement, which could potentially see licences being revoked.”
Police Sergeant Guy Rooney, said, “I visited both these venues on multiple occasions to warn them that their actions were in breach of the regulations and could result in enforcement. However, they took blatant steps to ignore my instructions, continuing to hold weddings and other ceremonies. It is deeply frustrating to see such a total disregard for the rules, which the vast majority of businesses and Londoners are following to help keep this deadly virus at bay.”
Ealing Council’s regulatory services have been working in conjunction with the police around COVID-19 compliance and have given clear instruction to these and other premises about safely operating within the COVID-19 requirements.
Councillor Joanna Camadoo-Rothwell, Ealing Council cabinet member for community safety and inclusion, said: “Enforcement action will be taken against businesses that do not follow the restrictions placed on them. We all have a responsibility for ensuring we follow the COVID-19 restrictions and work together to ensure the safety of ourselves and others. We will not hesitate in taking appropriate action against those that flout the regulations.”
The Tudor Rose is located at The Green in Southall. Picture: Google Streetview
Before the pandemic there was a campaign to save the Tudor Rose which may face demolition if plans by Peabody in partnership with Ealing Council go ahead. The current building would need to be removed to make space for an access road to proposed major development.
November 24, 2020
