Rhyl hotel owner and director fined over failure to respond to request for information

During the course of an investigation into a suspected fire safety breach at the hotel, a company and its director were asked to provide information to the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service. The request for this information was not met and, using legislation contained within the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, a prosecution was initiated.

On Tuesday 22 June, the company director was fined £2,000 and the company was fined £1,000 in respect of three offences relating to the failure to comply with requests for information under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Costs of over £2,800 were also awarded to the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service during the hearing at Llandudno Magistrates’ Court.

Sharon Bouckley, Business Fire Safety Watch manager, explained: “It is our duty to work to prosecute those who fail to protect others and to ensure the highest levels of safety for the public. The safety of guests and staff must always be paramount. Through our audit and education programmes, we work proactively with businesses to ensure that an adequate level of fire safety is achieved.”

Bob Mason, head of business fire safety, stated: “It’s important for owners, directors and companies to understand the law expects them to respond fully to requests for information. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service will not hesitate to use the full powers of fire safety law to ensure the safety of the public.”