SWANSEA: A cinema has been ordered to close by the Welsh Government after it defied Covid Pass regulations.
Cinema & Co, an independent movie theatre in Swansea, was shut down by trading standards this month after refusing to ask customers to see their Covid passes.
Showing a pass indicating proof of full vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test became a legal requirement in Wales for cinemas and theatres earlier this month. Cinema & Co owner Anna Redfern had warned she would not comply, calling the pass “discriminatory and unlawful” and despite being ordered to close, she kept the business open.
Ms Redfern did not attend a hearing at Swansea Magistrates’ Court on Friday where the city council was seeking an order to keep the cinema closed. The case has now been adjourned to November 30.
The Welsh Government has now backed the council by issuing a direction for the closure of the cinema on public health grounds under the Coronavirus Act 2020. In a statement it said: “Recently the local authority identified a series of breaches of the coronavirus regulations at the premises. “The premises was previously served with a notice requiring it to close due to the risk to public health.
“As the owner has chosen not to comply with this legal requirement, Welsh ministers have taken further enforcement action.” Ms Redfern has been vocal on social media about how the “unfair” coronavirus rules are affecting the industry, and vowed to “take a stand”. Her decision has been met with a mixed response.
A crowdfunder set up by Richard Taylor, a Brexit Party and Abolish The Welsh Assembly candidate, to help with the loss of earnings and legal costs has gathered over £60,000.
The cinema has also become embroiled in a racism row after protest group Black Lives Matter accused Ms Redfern of pandering to far-right groups.
An open letter to Ms Redfern from local activist group Swansea Stand Up To Racism which was signed by a number of local musicians, writers, and community leaders, said they were “appalled” that the cinema had let its opposition “be used by the far right”.
“Many of those who are promoting you on social media are racists and fascists, not least Voice Of Wales,” the letter adds. In a Facebook video post, Ms Redfern responded to the claims and said: “Unfortunately the downside is that I’m being acted on by so many forces out of my control, some very dark.
“I absolutely reject any claims that I am in any way connected to far-right groups, far-left groups or any form of racism.
“The reason I made a stand in the first place was because I feel so horrified that the Government is trying to impose restrictions on our freedoms.
“Right now my primary focus is being a mother, challenging Swansea Council’s unlawful closure and running my business.”
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