Owner of chain of garden centres in Devon says they will remain open - despite being served with notices to close

The owner of a Devon garden centre chain says his stores will remainopen, despite being served with a third prohibition notice.

Tony Joyner, who owns Plants Galore garden centres, says thecouncils who have served the notices will have to take him to court toenforce them.

It comes after his store in Newton Abbot became the third to be issuedwith a prohibition notice by Teignbridge District Council on Tuesday (March 31).

The council say customers at Plants Galore could be issued with a fixed penalty notice if they are buying items deemed "non essential".

The Exeter branch was the first to receive a notice on Friday, March 27, followed by the Plymouth store on Saturday, March 28.

Tony has refused to comply, claiming the notices are unfair and do not comply with Government guidance.

If he were to remain shut, Tony says it would cost his business more than £1 million and lead to job losses among his 70 staff.

Mr Joyner added: "Why can't we just shop safely? We don't need this close down the way it's being handled.

"We're all over the place - it's cowboys and Indians, no one knowswhat's going on."

A spokesperson for Exeter City Council defended the decision to serve a prohibition notice on Mr Joyner's store in Topsham Road and said it followed complaints from members of the public.

They said: “The Government have introduced these measures for a reason – to save people’s lives.

"We understand the financial reality but would urge businesses and customers to adhere to Government legislation and help save those lives.”

The notice advises of an offence under new Health Protection Regulations that came into law to protect the public from coronavirus.

The notice says the branch has permitted the sale of garden plants, seeds, bulbs and other garden items and must immediately cease doing so.

Exeter City Council say the store can continue to operate via electronic means and function as a store for other permitted items.

In a statement Teignbridge District Council, which issued the prohibition order for the store in Newton Abbot, said customers, "should be made aware that they may be issued with a fixed penalty by the police if they are found to only be purchasing items that are not essential."