£10,000 fine for church gathering in pub car park

Police said the pub car park did not qualify as a place of worship under current lockdown rules (Photo: Facebook/Tophouse Bulwell)

The organiser of a church gathering in a Nottingham pub's car park has been handed a £10,000 fine by the police.

Around 30 people were taking part in the Church on the Streets outdoor service on Saturday, held in Bulwell on the outskirts of the city. 

Officers from Nottinghamshire Police said tents and a sound system had been set up, and food was being served. 

While churches in England are permitted to hold in-person services during lockdown, Nottinghamshire Police said that the pub car park was "evidently not a place of worship". 

They said the event had taken place "despite previous warnings" and that the fine was issued as a "last resort". 

Inspector James Walker, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "Over the past few weeks we have been advising this group, having been made aware of events they have held in Bulwell.

"Initially, we have been engaging, explaining and encouraging as to the importance of following the current national lockdown restrictions, which is to protect the NHS, save lives and keep people safe. This has been our immediate approach throughout the coronavirus pandemic and will continue to be.

"Over the last week in particular, we have absolutely clarified that these events are not allowed, and we have since made it explicity clear that whilst we wholeheartedly support the number of religious groups that can be found in our communities, there are certain restrictions that must be adhered to in order to keep people safe.

"Whilst the rules state you can attend places of worship, this car park is evidently not a place of worship and, despite the warnings given over the last week in particular, this event continued to go ahead and that is why today we have implemented our last resort of enforcement.

"We do recognise that the majority of the local public are adhering to the current restrictions that are in place and we thank those people that are doing so for their patience during what is a difficult time for everyone." 

OrganiserChez Weir told the BBC she would contest the fine. 

"We've looked at the guidelines and they are very vague," she said.

"I'm really disappointed. I'm going to challenge it because I don't believe I've done anything wrong."

Current guidance defines a place of worship as a building used for regular religious ceremonies, communal worship or similar gatherings by religious organisations, but also covers "premises when being used for religious gatherings, even when their primary purpose is not for religious gatherings, such as a community centre".

"These premises will only be able to be used where they are permitted to be open and additional guidance may be applicable," the guidance reads. 

News
Fire severely damages historic Amsterdam church on New Year’s Day
Fire severely damages historic Amsterdam church on New Year’s Day

A major fire tore through one of Amsterdam’s best-known historic buildings in the early hours of New Year’s Day, seriously damaging the property and forcing people to leave nearby homes.

Rwanda’s president on the defensive over church closures
Rwanda’s president on the defensive over church closures

Rwandan President Paul Kagame defended the government's forced closure of Evangelical churches, accusing them of being a “den of bandits” led by deceptive relics of colonialism. 

We are the story still being written
We are the story still being written

The story of Christ continues in the lives of those who take up His calling.

Christians harassed, attacked all over India at Christmas
Christians harassed, attacked all over India at Christmas

International Christian Concern reported more than 80 incidents in India, some of them violent, over Christmas.