Leaseholder ordered to pay £100,000 fine for breach of fire safety laws

Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) has secured a conviction against a leaseholder of a premise on Prince Street, Bristol, following an audit in 2019.  A Prohibition Notice was served on the premises and subsequently breached.

On Thursday 25 February, Ms J Brown pleaded guilty to breaching an Article 31 Notice, and received a 12 month suspended sentence and was ordered to pay a fine of £100,000 plus £7,450 in costs. 

Head of Fire Safety, Station Manager Karl Venn said: “We welcome the outcome of this case, it sends a clear message to all leaseholders and business owners that the fire safety legislation is very important and must be complied with.

“The initial joint visit with Bristol City Council and subsequent fire safety audit carried out by our Fire Safety Officers at the premises highlighted serious failings in relation to the legal responsibility of the leaseholder to reduce the risk of fire within the building ensuring people could escape safely if there was a fire – so much so that a Prohibition Notice had to be served.

“I’d also like to thank Bristol City Council for their assistance, and who worked tirelessly to ensure that those affected were had some form of accommodation while the Prohibition Notice was implemented.”

AF&RS works closely with businesses to ensure they comply with the regulations and staff are available to offer practical advice and assistance in this area.

For more information on the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and keeping premises safe from fire visit www.avonfire.gov.uk/business-safety