Former Watlington business owner fined for series of fire safety breaches

Sentencing of Khalique Choudhury took place at Oxford Crown Court on 15 September 2025 following conviction at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on 24 July.

Fire safety inspectors from Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service visited the premises in March last year. They found that Choudhury had failed to ensure there was an adequate fire risk assessment in place, failed to protect escape routes in case of fire and also failed to provide a working fire detection and alarm system.

Prohibition Notice

The restaurant was operating on the ground floor and had bedrooms provided for staff accommodation above on the first floor.

A fire safety audit was conducted under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and inspectors found that the premises were so dangerous that they were left with no alternative but to prohibit the use of the building for sleeping purposes until safety measures were improved.

As a consequence, the inspectors ordered the immediate removal of the occupants of the bedrooms on safety grounds by use of a Prohibition Notice.

Choudhury pleaded guilty to four charges under the fire safety legislation and was duly fined. He was also ordered to pay a total of £6,284 in costs.

Level playing field

Councillor Jenny Hannaby, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services and Safety, said: “The majority of Oxfordshire businesses operate to the highest standards, rightly protecting their customers, staff and their livelihoods. I’m very grateful to the inspecting officers in this case who are out there every day not only to protect the public, but to ensure that those businesses following the rules can compete on a level playing field.”

Jody Kerman, head of Oxfordshire County Council’s Prevention, Protection and Trading Standards teams, added: “Our fire safety inspectors are finding an increasing number of businesses with sleeping accommodation above, where no fire safety measures have been implemented. Business owners have a legal duty to put fire safety measures in place. As this case shows, we will not hesitate to take action to ensure the safety of occupants, residents and customers alike.”