A HOTEL in Solihull which allowed hundreds of mourners to gather for a wake has been banned from hosting events.
Licensing officers at Solihull Council have revoked an events permit for the Castle Bromwich Hall Hotel after police broke up a gathering on Friday night (September 25).
The council said it is using its new coronavirus public health powers to ban the hotel from hosting events for the rest of 2020.
A statement from Solihull Council read: “With immediate effect the Castle Bromwich Hall Hotel will not be permitted to hold any events, including weddings, funerals, parties, musical performances, fire work displays or other events.
“The council is of the view that holding such events poses a serious and imminent threat to public health.
“Events that have been held have not had adequate social distancing arrangements in place, which is in contravention of legislation and government guidance designed to help manage the spread of the virus.
“This was evidenced by the recent event, held on Friday September 25, involving 200-300 participants.
“It was too large under current rules, the venue did not ask for details of those attending for test and trace purposes and proper social distancing was not observed.
“Due to excessive noise from the event the police were called and once the full extent of the illegal gathering was understood, it was closed down and people were asked to disperse.
“The weekend incident was a clear breach of the rules against mass gatherings introduced across the country to tackle the spread of Covid-19. This rule was introduced as the virus has been shown to quickly transmit between people in large groups.
Solihull Council will continue to monitor venues within the borough using all necessary powers to ensure compliance with the rules to stop the spread of the virus and protect the borough’s most vulnerable residents.”
Managers at the Castle Bromwich Hall Hotel declined to comment on the incident. They have the option of appeal through Birmingham Magistrates Court.
