Diggle café closed at weekends due to potential public health risk

Oldham Council is to restrict the opening hours of a business because the large numbers of people visiting it are potentially creating a "serious public health risk."

Grandpa Greene’s in Diggle must stay closed at weekends until at least March 4. The closure order will be reviewed every 7 days.

Councillor Arooj Shah, Deputy Leader of Oldham Council and Cabinet Member for COVID-19 Response, said: "Our staff have visited Grandpa Greene’s on a number of occasions, and the business owners have worked with us.

"But over the last few weeks we’ve received numerous complaints about large numbers of people congregating around the site and not social distancing – potentially helping to spread Coronavirus and therefore creating a clear threat to public health.

"Everyone must follow the restrictions, or you could be putting lives at risk.

"One of the main issues here is people travelling from outside the area to visit, which means it is getting really busy at weekends.

"Having looked at the evidence available to us again and having taken advice from Public Health colleagues we have now taken the decision to close the business on Saturday and Sundays.

"We never want to close any business, however, if we didn’t act then we would have been failing in our duty to protect staff, customers and the wider community.

"We’ll continue to monitor the situation over the coming weeks and will also be visiting other premises in the area.

"Please continue to exercise and get fresh air locally rather than travelling."

Earlier this year, Grandpa Greene's confirmed that they were remaining open for take-away food and drink, following discussions with Oldham Council.

Rick Scholes, owner of Grandpa Greene's, told the Chronicle today that he had increased the Covid safety precautions in the last six weeks to ensure rules were being followed.

"We've always ensured social distancing at the venue, with markers throughout. We've introduced a one-way system for customers as well as ensuring we have three separate queues to help with social distancing.

"We're out twice a day, litter picking, and we employ four Covid marhsalls to guide our customers. We take the management of safety very seriously."

Rick says he's had little notice of the weekend closure from the Council and was concerned about trade: "Most of our business is shut down at the moment.  We're primarily a wholesale ice-cream supplier, and that part of the business is on hold.  The shop is helping to keep the business afloat."

The owner added he was grateful to his "amazing staff" for "unbelieveable" efforts during the pandemic.

"Every member of our team has worked incredibly hard to ensure we can safely operate despite constantly changing systems & processes set out by Government guidelines.

"Our staff have shown outstanding character & given their all, week in, week out to safely serve our loyal customers. The latest restrictions implemented on our businesses are a huge blow for all their efforts & we are heartbroken to have to deliver this news.

"We'd also like to thank our local Saddleworth suppliers who have constantly supported us with meat, coffee, milk, bread, vegetables & general supplies."

The part-closure has been made under the 2020 Covid regulations.

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