A law firm whose office was shut down by local authorities was this week able to open its doors again.

Bolton Council had ordered Accident Injury Solicitors to shut its premises earlier this month after becoming aware of breaches of Covid-19 workplace regulations. Local authority health inspectors and Public Health England said that 18 cases had been found to be linked to the firm.

In an update last Friday, the council said that following a further inspection, the personal injury specialist had been allowed to reopen the building after making the required improvements.

The council said the firm had carried out a deep clean and reduced the capacity in some communal areas. It had also reviewed and updated its risk assessment, enhanced safety signage for staff, provided extra hand sanitiser and improved workplace access and exit arrangements.

Environmental health officers will continue to monitor the premises to ensure the business remains compliant.

Bolton Council’s executive cabinet member for environment regulatory services, Cllr Hilary Fairclough, said: ‘Once again, a business has been forced to close its premises for a number of days when this could have been avoided by putting sensible precautions in place.

‘With so much advice and support available from both the council and central government, there can be no excuse for breaking Covid-19 workplace regulations.’

Tight restrictions were placed on Bolton to curb the spread of coronavirus after the town recorded the highest rate of new Covid-19 cases in the country. Accident Injury Solicitors was reported to local authorities by family members of employees working at the firm who raised concerns.

The firm said it had done its utmost to follow all the Covid-19 guidance, and it stayed operating throughout with staff working remotely.

 

*The Law Society is keeping the coronavirus situation under review and monitoring the advice it receives from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and Public Health England.