THE owners of a card and book shop who refused to close during lockdown have lost their court battle and will now have to pay more than £30,000 in fines.

Alasdair Walker-Cox, proprietor of Grace Cards and Books, has told the Worcester News him and co-owner wife Lydia are "disappointed" with the outcome of their trial and are waiting to hear back from their lawyers if they can appeal.

Wychavon District Council, which handed the owners of the St Andrew’s Street shop four fines for breaching the rules during during the second lockdown in November last year and on two occasions in February and March 2021 during the third lockdown, have welcomed the outcome of the case.

The owners of the Droitwich shop argued at Kidderminster Magistrates Court on Tuesday they qualified for exemption as they should be treated as newsagents selling essential goods and services, which would have allowed them to open in lockdown periods.

But that reasoning was rejected by the judge.

The court found Mr Walker-Cox guilty of four breaches of The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) which he had previously denied.

He was ordered to pay a £35,000 fine, £8,986.67 in court costs and a £190 victim surcharge.

Mr Walker-Cox said: "We are obviously disappointed, there isn't much more we want to say at this stage.

"The lawyers will do that (see if they can appeal) as a matter of course. We will see what they have to say.

"We were aware this could be the outcome, we were under no illusion what could happen, it is just disappointing."

In a viral youtube video West Mercia Police and Wychavon District Council officers were seen telling the owners the Droitwich shop must close under the law as it is not essential.

And in a video interview, posted on Rebel News’ Youtube channel earlier this year, Mrs Walker-Cox claimed there had been discrimination saying: "The fact we sell Christian publications and newspapers, there is a bit of discrimination going on.

"Why can’t that be considered in the newsagent bracket, Christian news?

"We have had lost earnings as we have been closed down. If they want to take it further, that’s fine."

In a statement from Wychavon District Council the authority's director of economy and environment, Phil Merrick, said: “We are satisfied with the outcome of the trial, however, it is unfortunate that we have had to take this level of action against Grace Cards and Books.

“The judge ruled that the selling of a limited number of newspapers and food items was not the principle purpose of the business and it could not be classed as a newsagent or food store.

"We offered the shop help and support during the lockdowns, but they refused to take it. The law is the law and we have had to treat all businesses equally."