A NIGHTCLUB has been told it has to shut for four weeks for breaking coronavirus restrictions.

Following reports from the public the council investigated Revival on Bacup Road, Rawtenstall.

The council said it found strong evidence as reported by witnesses of a ‘party atmosphere’ with people dancing, singing and congregating in a mass gathering at the venue on September 11.

Health bosses said they were extremely disappointed that despite repeated guidance and media publicity to adhere to the social distancing guidelines some businesses continued to ignore the rules.

Rossendale Borough Council, working with Lancashire County Council, issued the prohibition notice which will require Revival to close for a period of up to four weeks, subject to weekly reviews. They have been requested to put measures in place to address the issues identified.

Rossendale Council communities boss Cllr Steve Hughes said: “It is really disappointing to see that this local venue has put the health of local people at risk in clear contravention of the Covid restrictions.

“As a council we have been working really hard with local businesses to support their compliance.

“The vast majority of businesses have supported this work. The council will take firm action where there is evidence businesses are not following the guidelines.”

Over the last two weeks the council has visited all business premises in Rossendale’s four town centres and continues to monitor premises outside normal working hours.

Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, director of public health for Lancashire County Council, said: “Following public health concerns, we have issued this premises with a direction under the Coronavirus Regulations, which means it cannot currently open.

“Whilst the majority of our pubs and restaurants are acting responsibly, it was disappointing to see lack of social distancing being maintained to keep customers safe at this venue.

“It is important we take measures such as this to ensure there isn’t an increase in cases which could subsequently trigger a wide economic lock down.

“I urge every business to play their part to protect our communities from a second wave by strictly following Covid safe guidance.”

Revival's licensee, who did not wish to be named, said his legal team were looking to fight the closure which was ‘unjustifiable’.

He said: “Things are hard enough at the minutes and we have staff that will be out of work - that is 16 people as we have no funds to pay them as we are closed.

“The business is at risk and we made some changes to try to meet the new 10pm curfew. Now we have legal costs to pay out to fight it.

“We are not happy and it is as the result of some malicious complaints of some video which was from one of our indoor nights and not on the date.

“The council opened an investigation and the police have been down and there was no issue. We had a request to review the CCTV on the Monday which the council could see restricted numbers.”

He added that they have got a track and trace facility and reduced numbers and put tables on the dance floor to keep to restrictions and also brought a sanitising contractor in for deep cleans.

He said: "We are the only nightclub in the area which has turned into a bar and that is the reason why they have looked at us.”