A pub landlord has pleaded guilty to eight fire safety offences after failing to understand his fire safety responsibilities after his lease changed.

On the 3rd July the landlord of the Duke of York pub in Eccles, Salford was given an 18-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £500 towards Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service’s (GMFRS) costs for the offences. An investigation revealed several fire safety failings; these offences were:

– Failing to make a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment

– Failing to ensure that routes to emergency exits were kept clear

– Failing to ensure adequate fire resistance to escape routes

– Failing to ensure that emergency routes and exits lead directly to a place of safety

– Failing to provide a suitable fire alarm

– Failing to provide adequate emergency lighting

– Failing to provide suitable and sufficient fire fighting equipment

– Failing to comply with a prohibition notice

 

Upon sentencing Mr Ashton, magistrates took into account that he did not understand that he was responsible for fire safety after singing a new lease in 2008 but said this sentence was a departure from what they would usually hand out and, while reflecting the serious nature of the offences, it took into account Mr Ashton’s extensive mitigation and financial circumstances

Assistant chief officer Peter O’Reilly, Director of Prevention and Protection at GMFRS, said:

‘We were right to bring this prosecution as members of the public had been put at risk – but the decision of the magistrates recognises that Ashton did not seek to put profit over safety but rather failed to understand his responsibilities. I hope that this case will encourage people setting up or entering businesses to ensure they research their legal responsibilities. Anyone entering into a lease arrangement must ensure they fully understand their obligations and the legal implications.’

 

Source: Info4Fire And FIA

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