Oxfordshire Trading Standards praises businesses across county for 'high compliance' to government's coronavirus restrictions

Those businesses that have been judged to be ‘non-essential’ at this time have been required to close in order to protect both staff and customers.

Pubs, restaurants, cafes, as well as cinemas, theatres, hotels and other venues have been ordered to close to combat the spread of coronavirus.

Over the Bank Holiday weekend, Oxfordshire County Council’s Trading Standards officers patrolled all five district areas to ensure the law was being followed.

Councillor Judith Heathcoat, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for Community Safety, said: “The level of compliance amongst Oxfordshire businesses has been extremely high and that has to be applauded at this very challenging time.

"It is important that we all work together to keep vulnerable people safe and I would like to thank the businesses of Oxfordshire for their support.”

Head of Oxfordshire County Council Trading Standards, Jody Kerman, said: "We have received a number of reports about businesses still trading, but our inquiries have found that generally the complaints were unjustified.

“On a few occasions, we have had to give verbal advice, but that has quickly been accepted. We continue to work closely with Thames Valley Police and all the other councils in Oxfordshire, to provide a partnership approach to this important area of work."

Anyone who has concerns that a business that should be closed is continuing to trade, is encouraged to contact Trading Standards on 01865 895999 (option two) or email [email protected]

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