THE owners of a card and book shop who refused to close during Covid lockdowns are set to stand trial next month.

Grace Cards and Books was slapped with fines totally nearly £20,000 for continuing to open despite not being being recognised as an essential trader by the authorities.

The shop was fined £1,000, £2,000 and £4,000, before a £10,000 fine on February 10 when the owners of the Droitwich shop, Alasdair and Lydia Walker-Cox, were filmed arguing with West Mercia Police and Wychavon District Council officers that later became a viral Youtube video.

The owners argue as they sell items offered by shops that were still allowed to trade in lockdowns, including newspapers and confectionary, they could legally stay open - a claim disputed by Wychavon District Council.

In an interview posted on Rebel News’ Youtube channel, the pair later also claimed there has been discrimination on the grounds the shop was selling Christian publications.

After refusing to pay a penny of the fines the owners appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates Court on May 28, pleading not guilty to four breaches of The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions ) Regulations.

The four counts relate to alleged breaches in November, during the second national lockdown when all non-essential retail was required to close between November 5 and December 2.

Bromsgrove Advertiser: LEGAL ACTION: Grace Cards and Books owners have revealed details of the legal fight, having not paid the fines handed to them

The alleged breaches came after Worcestershire Regulatory Services, acting on behalf of Wychavon District Council, issued a prohibition notice for refusing to close in line with national restrictions.

A spokesman for the authority explained the alleged breaches in the third lockdown, between January 5 and April 12, are part of separate proceedings with no further update on those.

A trial has been set for August 17 at Kidderminster Magistrates Court.

The paper approached Grace Cards and Books for comment and was told they were not speaking on the matter during the legal proceedings, but Mr Walker-Cox did add they had had support from people coming in their shop.

Meanwhile Worcestershire Regulatory Services has revealed Grace Cards and Books is the only prosecution brought against a South Worcestershire business for an alleged breach of coronavirus rules during lockdowns.

13 notices were served on businesses, three in Worcester, four in Malvern Hills and six in Wychavon, and 109 businesses across South Worcestershire were warned about their future conduct - 46 in Worcester, 39 in Wychavon and 24 in Malvern Hills.

A WRS spokesman said: “These formal actions have largely been undertaken due to breaches at non-food businesses or pubs.

“109 businesses across South Worcestershire were warned about their future conduct.

"The vast majority of these businesses subsequently changed their method of operation and formal action was not required.”