Cheshire hotel in breach of fire safety codes

The fire service has sent out a warning to hoteliers that fire safety procedures and the equipment installed on their premises needs to be checked regularly following a number of serious breaches at the Belfry Hotel in Wilmslow, Cheshire.

The hotel was fined £75,000 for three counts of serious breaches of the regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order last Monday after a routine visit by firefighters drew their attention to the issues surrounding fire safety.

The manager for Community Fire Protection at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, Lee Shears, said:

“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.”

This incident has served as a serious wake-up call to businesses that do not have working fire alarms in place as well as suitable fire exits for the safety of their guests during an evacuation of the premises. Hotel staff had also not been properly trained in fire safety.

Judge Elgin Edwards told the court:

“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.”

The hotel has now reopened following the recommended changes to its fire safety procedures and equipment.