Crowborough pub closed for second time due to fire risk

The Crowborough Cross pub in Crowborough has been closed for the second time in just 3 months after it was condemned by fire chiefs.

​Crowborough fire station commander said: “Following a joint inspection with Sussex Police and Wealden District Council licensing, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service identified several fire safety contraventions at the premises and issued a formal notice restricting the use of the premises. Further enforcement action was to follow, but the owners of the pub have made the decision to close.”

It is not known whether the pub owners will sell the business or refurbish the property in order to meet the required safety requirements.

Emma Welch, who runs the pub said she is keen to transform the pub. Ms Welch said: “I’m awaiting movement from Punch Taverns over what they intend to do with the pub. I’m currently the tenant but Punch will decide before Christmas whether they will keep the site and invest heavily in it, or whether they will sell it on the open market. I would rather buy the freehold, although if this is made available there is likely to be competition from big companies like Wetherspoons to get the site.  I really believe in this site. The Cross is the beacon of Crowborough.”

A spokesperson for the Punch Taverns said: “We are working with all parties involved to address any highlighted issues. It is our priority to keep our pubs open and trading and we will look to reopen as soon as possible.”

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 states that you:

‘must make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to which relevant persons are exposed’

This means that all companies as a first point in their Fire Safety must complete a Fire Risk Assessment.  This must be carried out by a competent person, who is trained to perform risk assessments.  Your Fire Training needs, your fire extinguisher needs and any other fire safety related issues you will need to address will be highlighted from the Fire Risk Assessment.

Our team of experienced and qualified Fire Risk Assessors will perform a full Fire Risk Assessment of your premises, and provide you with a comprehensive document detailing the risks found and recommendations to minimise the risks.

Our Fire Risk Assessment is divided into nine separate areas:

• Fire safety administration
• Fire fighting facilities
• Identifying fire hazards
• Fire routine and test procedure
• Means of escape
• Review procedures
• Staff/people at risk
• Arson prevention check list
• Fire warning facilities

When you have a Fire Risk Assessment, you must review this to ensure that everything is still in order. For example, you have a reshuffle of departments and your trained Fire Wardens are all moved onto the same floor of the building so more are required to cover the other floors, or you may have an extension built on your building. You may not even have had any changes in personnel or building, but it is essential that you review the Fire Risk Assessment anyway! We provide a service to review your Fire Risk Assessments for you, whether completed by ourselves or not.