Popular Penwortham bar shuts for deep clean after two staff test positive for Covid

The Lime Bar Lounge in Penwortham announced on social media today that it was shutting down "with immediate effect" and will remain closed for the next few days.

A statement said that despite advice from Public Health England that the bar could remain open, the owners had decided to shut temporarily to safeguard customers and staff. The premises will now undergo a thorough deep clean.

The statement said: "Unfortunately we have had to make the incredibly tough decision to voluntarily close our doors with immediate effect for the next few days as two of our team have been diagnosed positive with Covid-19.

"After discussions with the Public Health Authority England who have confirmed to us that we could continue to operate we personally feel it is the correct decision in putting the health and welfare of staff and customers first.

"Following the discussions with the Public Health Authority England, they have reviewed how we operate, our Covid secure policy and procedures and the systems we have in place they are confident that any risk to staff and customers is minimal.

"We’d like to assure our customers that we’ve been working diligently during the difficult and ever changing circumstances and have taken all the necessary precautions to make sure that health and safety of all staff and customers remains at the very forefront of all of our Covid-secure operations. This includes social distancing measures, staff PPE, frequent cleaning and sanitising and track and trace data collection.

"We have also reiterated to the team how important the actions out of the workplace is to be adhered to during this pandemic.

"Over the coming days, the venue will be sanitised and a fully fogging disinfection will commence, by an external company. We will remain closed until we are certain that the venue poses no risk to the health of our staff and customers.

"We will contact customers over the next few day who have a booking with us on 8,9,10,11th October only, to reschedule and will take bookings from the 15th October.

"Clearly this is a very challenging time for us all and we thank you all for your continued support and understanding during these unprecedented times, we will keep you notified by our social media pages on when we reopen and we look forward to welcoming you back as soon as possible."