THREE pubs have been handed prohibition notices after flouting government restrictions by remaining open.
Council officers investigated the premises after reports from members of the public claimed they were still serving pints amid the lockdown, which has seen all non-essential businesses temporarily closed.
Notices were served to the Red Lion on High Street, Wath-upon-Dearne, Westville WMC on Barnsley Road, West Melton and Cafe Sport on Station Street, Swinton, after warnings from Rotherham Council were ignored.
Breaches of the prohibition conditions will see fixed penalty notices of £60 issued, with further breaches escalating the penalty up to a maximum value of £960.
Prosecution may then follow, with firms liable to face fines of up to £5,000.
Last week, Barnsley Council threatened legal action against a garden centre found to be ignoring government guidance, after issuing two separate warnings to the business.
