Venue owner faces £10,000 fine after 100 people attend 'dangerous and foolish' wedding reception

An events venue owner is set to be slapped with a £10,000 fine after allowing more than 100 people to attend a wedding reception in what police have described as a "dangerous and foolish" breach of regulations.

Police were called to the Tudor Rose in Southall, West London, shortly after 6.30pm on 13 October, and found no evidence that those celebrating were maintaining social distancing or taking "reasonable steps" to protect against the transmission of Covid-19.

Chief superintendent Peter Gardner of the Metropolitan Police said: "This was a dangerous and foolish breach of the regulations, which have been designed specifically to keep people safe from transmitting a deadly virus. Restrictions on large gatherings, such as weddings, have been in place for months and quite frankly there can be no excuse for this flagrant violation of the law.

"There was clearly no attempt by the venue owner to enforce the regulations or keep their patrons safe – it is for this reason we have reported them for a £10,000 fine.

"Everyone has a responsibility to keep themselves and their families safe from coronavirus. As cases of coronavirus rise across London, officers throughout the Met will be redoubling our efforts to clamp down on those individuals and businesses who breach the regulations and put themselves and others at risk."

Under current regulations wedding receptions are limited to 15 people and venues are required to abide by strict guidelines. It was announced yesterday that an increase in Covid-19 cases would see London placed under Tier 2 (high) restrictions from Saturday.

Images: Metropolitan Police