The TJ Hughes department store in Middlesbrough has been issued with fines totalling £17,000 by its local council for breaking lockdown rules. The store was also given a prohibition notice by Middlesbrough Council for failing to close under Covid-19 regulations.
The store has voluntarily complied with the notice and closed its doors but is challenging the decision as it believes it is entitled to remain open as it sells food, hardware and gardening items.
TJ Hughes chief operating officer Jason Harmer told the BBC: “TJ Hughes takes public health extremely seriously. We also always seek to act within the parameters of the law.
“We have voluntarily closed some of our stores on a site by site basis but TJ Hughes has a responsibility to its staff and others to continue trading safely.
“It is therefore the intention to legally challenge the local authorities’ positions. It is wholly nonsensical that TJ Hughes stores be asked to close when other similar mixed retail stores remain open nationwide.”
