A PUB in Kidderminster is among several businesses being investigated by Worcestershire Regulatory Services for reportedly breaching the Government's nationwide shutdown.

Wyre Forest District Council said it was alerted to allegations of drinking and parties being held at licensed premises over the weekend.

Pennies in the Bull Ring and The Vault in Oxford Street are among those being investigated following reports by the police, Worcestershire Regulatory Services confirmed.

Kidderminster Shuttle: The image, which circulated on social media, was alleged to show a lock-in at the pub. Photo from FacebookThe image, which circulated on social media, was alleged to show a lock-in at the pub. Photo from Facebook

This comes after a photograph circulated on social media at the weekend, allegedly showing a lock-in at Pennies after the Prime Minister's closure order.

Businesses that do not follow new emergency closure regulations could face unlimited fines and have their licences withdrawn.

Adam Wilcox, who owns both Pennies and The Vault, denied any wrongdoing.

He said: "The police are with me now. They are looking through the CCTV and they will see that no crimes have taken place.”

Mr Wilcox told The Shuttle on Friday the closure order would mean the loss of £4,000 worth of his stock.

A spokesman for Worcestershire Regulatory Services said: "Worcestershire Regulatory Services is investigating several businesses notified by the police as being open at the weekend contrary to legal requirements. This includes Pennies and The Vault Bar in Kidderminster.

"As well as investigating these premises, officers will be carrying out spot checks at licensed premises and restaurants and prosecutions will follow if the new regulations are found to be being breached.

"We can confirm that no licences have been revoked to date.

"If businesses need help with complying with the new regulations, they should contact Worcestershire Regulatory Service who will be pleased to assist them.”

Officers from Wyre Forest District Council and Worcestershire Regulatory Services now have powers to enforce the Government’s closure of licensed premises where food or drink are sold for consumption.

New regulations, which came into effect on Saturday, allows the authorities to prosecute those caught defying the Government’s advice during the pandemic.