DOZENS of Gateshead businesses have been sanctioned for flouting lockdown rules it has been revealed.

Gateshead Council has issued 44 sanctions to rule breaking businesses in the borough.

Of these 22 were prohibition notices, where the premises were ordered to stop work all together.

Prohibition notices order an immediate stop to what enforcement officers consider to be unsafe activity, to limit the spread of Covid-19.

Meanwhile, nine rule breaking businesses were given fixed penalty notices or fines.

The final six were issued with direction notices, which restrict access to or close a venue.

These figures come as report set to be heard by the region’s Trading Standards committee revealed that barbers, hairdressers, beauty therapists, together with hand car washes and car valets were among the rule breakers.

The document said that Trading Standards teams across the region have dealing with thousands of complaints from concerned customers and other businesses.

It said: “Services continue to deal comprehensively with many thousands of complaints and intelligence about non-compliant businesses from consumers and businesses and where deemed appropriate the range of enforcement tools continue to be employed to ensure compliance in the over-riding interests of public health and safety.”

Despite this officers are still dealing with their normal workload.

It added: “It is important to remember, that although a great deal of prioritisation has been given and continues to be given to this very important regulatory work; officers have continued to engage with the other important delivery of the wide range of services.”

The report will be heard by the Joint Trading Standards committee on Thursday.