98% of London businesses respecting lockdown
Most London businesses have so far respected the law on business closure, according to data from London borough enforcement teams. Just 2% of the businesses visited over the past two months have had to be instructed to close by local authority officers.
Latest data from councils shows that trading standards, alongside environmental health and other council officers have visited 38,808 businesses since the lockdown came into force on 16 March and advised on business closures and social distancing.
Across London, enforcement officers found 731 businesses failing to comply with the rules. 529 businesses have closed voluntarily when instructed to do so, but where traders haven’t complied, borough teams have issued 262 Prohibition Notices, forcing them to do so.
Local authority enforcement teams have also dealt with 2,426 enquires relating to social distancing from businesses, employees and the general public and have given advice to businesses as to how best to manage this safely.
In Camden, the Council has received 18 calls about non-essential businesses remaining open after lockdown was imposed, most of those calls were regarding retail shops.
“We understand this is an uncertain and worrying time for businesses in Camden but more than ever we must work together to slow the spread of COVID-19 and help save lives, which means non-essential businesses should close during this pandemic.
“The vast majority of non-essential businesses are following Government guidance and we’ve spoken to those who should have closed but didn’t, and as a result shut straight away. Our teams are also working closely with essential businesses that are open to ensure they follow guidance on social distancing during this time.”
The latest government guidance on which businesses should be closed can be found online.
If you are aware of any businesses that should be closed but are continuing to trade, then you can report this to your local trading standards service via the Citizens Advice Consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 or via their chat service online https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/
Alternatively, you can report cases confidentially via the London Trading Standards online consumer crime reporting tool http://www.londontradingstandards.org.uk/report-consumer-crime/