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King's Hill barber 'barred from premises' by landlord after trading on first day of lockdown

A barber from West Malling who ignored lockdown rules and opened for business has been told he can no longer enter the building by his landlord.

Met Warwick, 39, who runs King's Hill Barbers in Churchill Square, was until yesterday operating out of a premises administered by Capital Space.

Mr Warwick has said he will be looking for a new premises to run his business
Mr Warwick has said he will be looking for a new premises to run his business

Mr Warwick was visited by Kent County Council staff and two Kent Police officers on Thursday, November 5, and handed with a prohibition notice threatening him with fines if he did not close immediately.

Taking to Facebook, Mr Warwick told followers that he has now been 'restricted' from entering the building.

In an update posted last night, he wrote: "Due to Capital Space informing me that I will not be allowed to enter the premises until lockdown is over, I am unable to continue trading!

"Capital Space have claimed that I will endanger other offices workers & have been a nuisance, disturbance or annoyance to adjoining offices.

"This is incorrect and a false accusation!

WATCH: Barber tells KMTV why he refuses to close during lockdown

"Lockdown will not be over on December 2nd I highly expect & will pause trading for the time being!"

The barber also filmed a Facebook Live video last night, insisting 'the authorities did not win.'

He told viewers he would also be seeking a new premises as soon as possible, but would not be offering his services for the next few days.

He said: "I can't even go in and get my stuff now, that's how corrupt this is.

KCC officers and Kent Police arriving at the barbers yesterday
KCC officers and Kent Police arriving at the barbers yesterday

"There is legal action that will be put in place very very soon."

Mr Warwick first used Facebook Live on Monday to tell customers he would be opening for business regardless of the rules.

Despite lockdown measures being brought in by Boris Johnson from Thursday, November 5, he said he was fully-booked with customers for the next five days.

One such customer believes the authorities should be doing more to deter business owners from ignoring the rules. despite himself visiting Mr Warwick's business yesterday.

Gary Westwell, from Faversham, made the 25-mile journey to King's Hill after hearing the barber was still offering trims on the first day of lockdown.

Mr Warwick filmed an exchange with a PSCO, who warned him of fines if he were to stay open from Thursday
Mr Warwick filmed an exchange with a PSCO, who warned him of fines if he were to stay open from Thursday

The 36-year-old said: "I was expecting it to be a wasted trip, thinking the police would be there at 8am when he opened."

Mr Westwell, a bus driver by trade, said he is conflicted by Mr Warwick's position - while he said it is his business and he should be able to do what he wants, he is also 'breaking the law.'

He added: "I do think the police should be doing more - if they're laying down the rules then they should be doing more."

Though two Kent Police officers attended yesterday when KCC officers handed Mr Warwick the prohibition notice, they reportedly did not speak to the barber directly.

A spokesperson from Capital Space said: "We are absolutely sympathetic to all businesses that have been impacted by the lockdown.

"We have taken stringent measures to keep all our customers and staff safe since the outbreak of the pandemic.

"It is in our interests to help our customers which is why we have worked hard to support them wherever possible.

"As a landlord, we have an obligation to support law enforcement agencies.

"The specific terms of Public Health England’s regulations stating that hairdressers have to shut meant Kings Hill Barbers was operating illegally from November 5 and therefore in breach of our licence agreement."

To find out what you can do and can't do during lockdown #2 click here.

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Read more: All the latest news from West Malling

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