Prosecution results in Wellingborough hotel being fined £75k for fire safety failures

A hotel in Wellingborough town centre has been handed a £75,000 fine for ignoring an enforcement notice from Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service to improve its fire safety.

Members of the Fire Service’s Protection Team found fire safety deficiencies during an inspection of The Hind Hotel premises on May 21, 2024 – which was part of a regular programme of visits to premises across the county.

On the day of the visit, the Protection Team found that the fire alarm system was faulty and may have been so dating back to 2021. As a result, an enforcement notice was served requiring the owners to rectify the faults.

At a follow-up inspection of the Sheep Street premises on September 10, 2024, it was found the hotel had failed to comply with the required actions in the enforcement notice, and the Service took the rare decision to prosecute the business.

Hind Wellingborough Limited was charged with breaching fire safety legislation, and Marcus Holden, the sole director of the company, pleaded guilty to the charges. The sentencing took place at Wellingborough Magistrates’ Court yesterday (November 4).

The company was ordered to pay a £75,000 fine, as well as costs of £4,200 and a victim surcharge of £2,000.

Scott Richards, Head of Protection at Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We work very hard with businesses across the county to make sure that their premises meet the highest standards, so they can ensure the safety of both their customers and staff. We will proactively work with and help venues to make sure they get to that point.

“On this occasion, we gave the premises every opportunity to rectify their fire safety alarm system, but they did not take any action to address these issues when we served them with an enforcement notice.

“We never take the decision to prosecute a business lightly. But we hope that the sentencing of this premises serves as a reminder that should they choose to put their customers at risk, then we will take clear and decisive action to hold them to account for failing to keep people safe.”

Improving fire safety in the buildings where people live and work is a key strategic priority for Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, and our Protection Team visits more than 1,000 premises every year to help improve fire safety.

Businesses can contact the Protection Team for specialist advice, and to receive a bespoke safety approach by emailing: fireprotection@northantsfire.gov.uk

They can also call 01604 797 000 and ask for Fire Protection or request a visit from Protection Officers by clicking here: https://www.northantsfire.gov.uk/contact-2/