A DROITWICH card shop which refused to close during the national Covid lockdown has been ordered to pay more than £44,000 after the case went to court.
Alasdair Walker-Cox, proprietor of Grace Cards and Books, located in St Andrew’s Square Shopping Centre, appeared before Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
The court found Mr Walker-Cox guilty of four breaches of The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No.4) Regulations 2020 which he had previously pleaded not guilty to.
He was ordered to pay a £35,000 fine, £8,986.67 in court costs and a £190 victim surcharge.
Phil Merrick, Director of Economy and Environment at Wychavon District Council, said: “We are satisfied with the outcome of the trial, however, it is unfortunate that we have had to take this level of action against Grace Cards and Books.
“We offered the shop help and support during the lockdowns, but they refused to take it.
“The law is the law and we have had to treat all businesses equally.”
