Northampton restaurant owner fined for breaching fire safety legislation

The protection team at Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service acted on intelligence that the loft space at the premises was being used to house several of the establishment’s employees.

A designated fire protection officer inspected the premises and found evidence of that practice, as well as other deficiencies. The latter included no fire detection system having been installed and inadequate escape and access routes, in turn raising the risk that occupants would not be warned if a fire started and could end up trapped in the property.

The restaurant was served with a Prohibition Notice by the Fire and Rescue Service in April 2023, which prohibited people from sleeping on the premises. The decision was taken to prosecute due to the breaches of fire safety legislation being so severe in nature.

Guilty plea

Pathak was charged with breaching the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 – and pleaded guilty to that charge – during a hearing conducted at Northampton Magistrates’ Court (pictured) on 29 October.

Pathak was issued with a Community Order for 200 hours of unpaid work to be completed within 12 months and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £114, as well as costs amounting to £750.

Meeting the standards

Following the hearing, Scott Richards (head of protection at Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service) said: “Our fire protection officers acted quickly when they received information that safety was being compromised at these premises. Our primary aim is always to protect people and, where possible, we will work with restaurants and other businesses to make sure they meet the standards required to keep their staff and customers safe.”

Richards continued: “On this occasion, the breaches were so severe that we were left with no option but to prosecute and send a strong message to the owner that it’s unacceptable to put lives at risk.”

Further, Richards noted: “We are happy that the Magistrates’ Court recognised the level of risk involved and sentenced the owner accordingly. This verdict serves as a timely reminder for all businesses that fire safety is incredibly important. There will be consequences for non-compliance.”