Customer's 'panic' after Bispham pub announced closure on social media due to staff member with coronavirus

The Bispham Hotel on Red Bank Road announced on Facebook yesterday (August 16) that the staff member had been off work for a week prior to the announcement, with Covid-19 symptoms.

The brewery, Samuel Smith's based in Tadcaster, Yorkshire, chose not to implement the Test and Trace system due to GDPR regulations, a spokesman for the pub said in its post.

Shortly after advising customers to get tested, the pub deleted its Facebook page.

One customer from Marton, who asked not to be named, visited the Bispham Hotel last Sunday (August 9) with her vulnerable husband, brother and two friends.

It was the first time her husband, who has COPD, had left the house since lockdown began.

She has now had to order tests in the post, and was due to return to work in an adult day centre in a fortnight, after being on furlough since March.

"I told everyone I was with straight away when I saw it, and my first reaction was sheer panic," she said.

"One of the friends I was with also has a lung condition. We thought we'd go for a drink before having a meal across the road at Curry Leaf, it was our first time out since March.

"There was a queuing system at the bar inside the pub, but none of the staff wore any PPE, and there was no hand sanitiser on the door when we arrived. It seemed quite busy, but we sat outside away from others and only stayed for one drink.

"We went to Bispham Con Club afterwards, and they took our details straight away, which made me wonder why the pub didn't. I've protected my husband for months from this virus, I go out to do all the shopping and he's been self-isolating since March.

"The worst thing is the pub has kept this quiet for over a week, and what about the people who aren't local or didn't see the Facebook post? How will they know they need to be tested now?"

The Bispham Hotel customer rents her property from Reeds Rains, and had to inform her estate agent of the positive case after he visited her home last week.

Although he took all necessary precautions on his visit, she was concerned he could also have been exposed to the virus through her, if she tested positive.

A spokesman for Reeds Rains said: "We are grateful to the tenant for contacting us. Our staff member followed all prescribed government guidelines to prevent transmission or spread of the disease and as such was not in close contact with the tenant during the brief visit he made.

"Whilst we consider the risk low, should the tenant subsequently tests positive, we will take all necessary action to protect the well-being of our customers and staff.”

The NHS Test and Trace came into effect on July 4, and businesses were advised by the Government to "keep a temporary record of customers and visitors for 21 days, in a way that is manageable for your organisation, and assist NHS Test and Trace with requests for that data if needed, to contain clusters or outbreaks."

Current Government guidance states that businesses in the hospitality sector, including pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes, "should collect details and maintain records of staff, customers and visitors."

The guidance applies to any establishment that provides an on-site service and to any events that take place on its premises.

By taking customers' details, establishments are able contact them in the event a member of staff or another customer has received a positive coronavirus test result.

Samuel Smith's brewery also runs The Victoria Hotel on Victoria Road West in Cleveleys, which along with the Bispham Hotel operates a ban on mobile phones and swearing on the orders of chain boss Humphrey Smith.

The Gazette contacted Samuel Smith's brewery for a response on numerous occasions, but it did not respond.

Dr Arif Rajpura, Blackpool Council director of Public Health, said: “Businesses have a responsibility for collecting information about individuals for track and trace purposes.

"It is vital that all businesses follow government guidance with regards to these important health measures.

"Our Public Protection team is currently in contact with the establishment to ensure that there is a complete understanding of what that means and the processes that need to be in place. We will work with the hotel to make sure that they have everything in place before they reopen.

"PHE colleagues are looking into the positive case and whether this has been fed into the test, track and trace system."

Blackpool North and Cleveleys MP Paul Maynard also said he was "concerned" about the lack of Test and Trace at the Bispham Hotel.

“I recognise that constituents might be concerned to hear that a member of staff at a local pub has tested positive for Covid and I am concerned to hear that appropriate records of visitors to the pub may not have been kept," he said.

"It is vital that establishments follow the simple measures which have been set out to assist in tracing and testing those who have been in contact with infected individuals. I would urge all those who have been to the pub in question and those they have been in contact with to get tested as soon as possible, following the appropriate guidance on self-isolation in the meantime.

"The Government is very clear on best practice for our hospitality trade and all venues should be following the rules to ensure we keep the spread of the virus under control."