BAR bosses have been issued with a warning over allegedly failing to enforce proper social distancing regulations.

Colchester Council has handed Fashion Café Bar in St Botolph’s Street, Colchester, a notice urging them to improve after concerns were raised following their reopening after the coronavirus lockdown.

The council has issued a Community Protection Warning (CPW).

It is the first of its kind the council has issued in relation to coronavirus measures.

No specific detail on what the issues related to was released by the council.

The owner of the bar disputed the claim they had been warned and declined to comment any further.

Further enforcement could follow if improvements are not made.

A spokesman for Colchester Council said: “The council has issued a CPW to Fashion Café Bar, for failure to observe social distancing measures.”

The director of public health for Essex has been made aware.

On the bar’s Facebook page, bosses have urged people to pre-book their tables at least 48 hours in advance before arriving

In a post on Tuesday, they urged people to wait in groups they are with while queuing outside and maintain a two metre distance with other parties.

They have been asked to stand on the social distancing floor stickers which have been placed outside and follow safety guidelines and instructions from staff before entering.

Anyone wanting to attend is being urged not to try and book tables on the day they want them because they will be sold out.

Groups who have booked are being asked to arrive together and not be waiting for any late comers.

Limits have also been put on how many people are allowed in the smoking area at once and only one person per table is permitted to go to the bar.

Shortly after pubs reopened on July 4, concerns were raised about people queuing outside The Playhouse in St John’s Street.

The Wetherspoons-owned bar was ordered to improve the situation but did not face any formal sanction.