A Chester hotel has been ordered to pay £45,000 after a fire safety audit by the Cheshire Fire Authority revealed serious problems. The audit, conducted in 2019, uncovered several fire safety breaches that put guests at risk.
The Cheshire Fire Authority found issues including an “unacceptable risk” on the second-floor fire escape. This escape route had uneven surfaces and even included a ladder, making safe evacuation difficult. The audit also identified a lack of emergency lighting, deficient fire doors, and a missing emergency plan.
Despite being prohibited from using the second floor due to these issues, the hotel reportedly allowed guests to occupy those rooms for about a month in 2019. The Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) argued that the hotel owner and management company, Brook Hotels No1 Ltd, displayed a “wilful blindness to the risk of offending” and failed to take necessary actions to address the problems.
While the hotel did have a fire alarm and evacuation procedures in place, CFRS argued that these measures wouldn’t have completely eliminated the risk, especially for guests on the second floor who might be asleep during a fire.
The court acknowledged the hotel’s standing as a local business and the impact of the pandemic, but ultimately held them responsible for the fire safety failings. Brook Hotels No1 Ltd was fined £45,000 with an additional £20,000 to cover prosecution costs. The hotel director, was also ordered to pay a £2,000 fine.