Coronavirus: TJ Hughes fined £17,000 after branch defies lockdown laws to stay open

Store now closed as enforcement chief reveals some shops have started selling face coverings in bid to remain trading as ‘essential retailers’

TJ Hughes in Middlesbrough (Google)

The department store TJ Hughes has been fined £17,000 for keeping open its Middlesbrough shop during the new coronavirus lockdown.

The branch had claimed it was an “essential retailer” and remained serving customers despite government guidelines explicitly stating that clothes and electronic outlets, which the chain specialises in, must shut.

It has now finally closed after being hit with repeated fixed penalty fines and a prohibition notice by Middlesbrough Council’s enforcement team.

Judith Hedgley, head of public protection, said the authority took action against a number of shops – including four mobile phone stores – after they continued illegally trading in the town.

"In some cases they have tried to get around the restrictions by selling or claiming to sell a small amount of food, medicines," she said in a statement posted online.

And she added: "Some shops have even started to sell such items like face coverings then claiming they are essential on this basis.

“Laws are in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Middlesbrough's infection rate is among the highest in the country. We must all follow the restrictions to stop the spread."

It remains unclear if other TJ Hughes stores across the country have also been opening.

A voice message left on the company’s head office phoneline says all stores are now shut but the the Northern Echo newspaper has reported being told that other local authorities are pursuing similar enforcement action against individual branches.

The Liverpool-based department store has 18 outlets across the country with the vast majority in the north west.

The Independent has contacted the department store for a comment.