CHESTER city centre is open for business. As Covid restrictions eased on Monday, April 12, non-essential retailers and a raft of hospitality firms were able to throw their doors open to the public after more than three months of lockdown. And, unlike the last time Chester emerged from a lengthy lockdown in June 2020, visitors have wasted no time in heading to the city to indulge in retail therapy and enjoy food and drink in the outdoors. Chester city centre is open for business, despite the ongoing Northgate Development and Clockwise Chester works. The same restrictions largely apply for visitors – face masks are required inside and social distancing is still in place, while food and drink establishments can only serve customers outside at present.
THE owner of a business in Chester city centre has been ordered to pay more than £7,000 after putting lives at risk by failing to comply with fire regulations. Mehmet Zahir Adibelli, owner of Trinettes Hair Professionals (Chester), appeared at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Monday, February 1, after previously pleading guilty to nine breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. At the sentencing hearing, District Judge Nicholas Sanders said Adibelli had failed to set their mind towards fire safety and didn’t appreciate that these significant risks could have resulted in serious injuries or death. Judge Sanders ordered Adibelli to pay £2,250 fines (£250 for each breach), £5,000 costs and a £190 victim surcharge.