The owner of a card shop in Worcestershire who refused to close during lockdown is set to stand trial.
Alasdair Walker-Cox and wife Lydia, owners of Grace Cards & Books in St Andrews Square shopping centre in Droitwich, Worcestershire, received four Covid fines totalling £17,000 during this year’s lockdown.
At the time, current lockdown legislation prevented non-essential shops from opening as the Government looked to limit contacts between people and stem the rise in coronavirus infections which were increasing earlier this year.
In a video shared widely on social media in February, Mrs Walker-Cox was seen challenging an official from Wychavon District Council and a police officer in the shop.
She was seen in the video arguing that they sold items offered by shops that were still allowed to trade in lockdowns, including newspapers and confectionery, and could therefore legally stay open.
Now, Mr Walker-Cox has pleaded not guilty to failing to comply with The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions ) Regulations, with a trial set for August 17 at Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court.
Wychavon District Council disagreed, with leader Coun Bradley Thomas previously saying: ‘It’s disappointing this one particular business feels the need to flout the rules and we will work with our partners to take further action, if needed, to protect the public.’
Mrs Walker-Cox previously told Worcestershire Live: ‘We are a business of 30 years. We changed the shop around in November to become essential.
We are liable not to have a business after this. We sell drinks, confectionary and daily newspapers.
