A Wilmslow hotel described as "one of the finest" on its website, has been fined £75,000 and ordered to pay Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service costs in excess of £52,000 after putting its guests at serious risk from fire.
The Belfry Hotel, owned by Hallmark Hotel Group, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Monday, October 4th and pleaded guilty to three counts of serious breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (the "FSO").
The breaches came to light after firefighters called at the premises in April 2008 for a routine visit and discovered a catalogue of safety issues, putting people at substantial risk of death in the event of a fire occurring.
Their findings were so severe that Fire Safety Officers were brought in the same day and the venue was closed amid fears for the safety of its guests, the staff and contractors working on site.
The court heard that on the third floor of the luxury hotel there was not a single working fire alarm, while on other floors of the 160-capacity hotel there were faulty smoke detectors and substandard fire exits. Also staff had not been properly trained in fire safety.
Judge Elgin Edwards told the court that the legislation is intended to bite and to ensure the protection of the public.
He said "For people who run hotels, fire security is particularly important. This company carried on trading and taking guests when quite clearly these guests were put at substantial risk."
Owners Hallmark Hotels admitted three breaches of fire safety laws and were fined £25,000 for each offence and ordered to pay costs of £52,585 to Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Lee Shears, Manager for Community Fire Protection at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said "This is an excellent result as it gives a clear message that action will be taken against any business that neglects fire safety and thereby risks public safety.
"Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service aims to help and support any business to operate safely, however we will take action when owners and managers choose not to treat fire safety as a legitimate business requirement.
"Fire safety is a key part of good business management and the Hallmark Hotel Group showed little or no regard for the safety of their guests or employees and the result was a prosecution.
"The Service will continue to take action when businesses, large or small, do not take their fire safety responsibilities seriously."
The hotel was allowed to re-open four days later, after the required equipment was installed and the safety problems fixed.
