AN Indian restaurant in Kidderminster has received an official warning from Worcestershire Regulatory Services after officers caught staff serving drinks to waiting customers.

Cafe Masala, in Mill Street, was served with a Prohibition Notice after enforcement officers witnessed customers being served with alcoholic drinks while they waited for their takeaway orders last week.

Officers visited several premises in Kidderminster on Monday, February 15 to ensure they were complying with Covid-19 regulations and the manager of Cafe Masala was cautioned on site for the rule breach.

Speaking to The Shuttle, however, the manager of Cafe Masala said the incident was a "one off" and a "stupid mistake" made by one worker who had misunderstood the lockdown rules.

Hussain Moshahid said: "I was ill for a month as I had a positive Covid test so when I came back to work, I had a month's worth of paperwork to sort through and I admit I wasn't paying attention to what my staff were doing.

"I was behind the bar going through a pile of papers at the time and I found out a staff member had served a drink to a customer who was upset.

"Previously, when everything was normal, if a customer was unhappy, we would sometimes give them a drink on the house - every restaurant does it - and the staff member took that example and gave the customer a lager to make him happy. He didn't realise it was breaking the law.

"It was a one off and a stupid mistake and I am now paying the consequences."

Mr Moshahid added: "For one silly mistake, you would think that they could let it go. It was not done for the purpose of business - if he had charged the customer money, I would understand.

"It's not like we are selling alcohol to people. It was a silly mistake and unlucky timing."

A Prohibition Notice is a legal warning which means the restaurant must comply, or risk being issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £10,000 or face prosecution.

Wyre Forest District Council’s deputy leader Councillor Helen Dyke, who has responsibility for Worcestershire Regulatory Services, said: “The vast majority of businesses in Wyre Forest have worked hard to comply with the current restrictions.

“It is important that everyone in our community plays their part and continues to observe the restrictions in order to stop the spread of the virus – but if businesses like this continue to operate when they know they are breaking the law, then we will act.

“It is imperative we all stick to the rules protect the NHS and save lives.”