When inspectors from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service visited the 16th century wedding venue Haslington Hall in October 2009 they discovered fire-proof doors had not been installed on escape routes, staff had not been properly trained in fire safety, no risk assessment had been carried out, and emergency lights were broken.
A Prohibition Notice was promptly issued, temporarily closing the venue until safety improvements were carried out.
With the work completed, the Grade 1-listed building, set in a 25-acre private estate, boasting eight private meeting rooms, and capable of catering for up to 200 people, could re-open.
However, officers discovered the venue had been used while the notice was still in force.
“This,” said Lee Shears, community fire protection manager for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, “was an extremely serious case of putting people’s lives at considerable risk from fire.
“Fire safety is a key part of good business management,” he added, “and Haslington Hall Limited showed little or no regard for the safety of their guests or employees. The result was a prosecution, which came to light after information was received saying that the premises was being used as a wedding venue.”
At Chester Magistrates’ Court the company pleaded guilty to nine breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Haslington Hall Limited was fined £16,000 and ordered to pay costs of £7,800.
