Former Hotel Manager fined for failing to comply with Enforcement Notice

18/07/11

A former hotel manager has been ordered to pay £5,000 in fines and costs for failing to comply with an enforcement notice issued by Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Authority.

The Authority served an enforcement notice on James Knappette, the former manager of the Kedleston Country House Hotel near Derby, after concerns with the means on escape at the building, which included inadequate emergency lighting and inadequate fire doors. Despite being granted two extensions to complete the work ordered under the Enforcement Notice, fire safety at the hotel remained inadequate.

The fine imposed by Derbyshire Magistrates Court was £3,000 with £2,000 costs.

The hotel is no longer managed by Mr Knappette and is currently closed pending refurbishment and opening by new management.

Enforcement notices are used by fire authorities, acting through fire and rescue services, to make sure appropriate fire precautions are in place to reduce the risk of death or serious injury in the event of a fire.

Group Manager Steve Wells, from Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service, said: "People who own and manage hotels are under a high duty of care to their guests. This is because those staying there are unfamiliar with the layout of the hotel and will be entirely reliant on the fire safety measures provided by the owners and operators to make sure that they can get out safely in the event of a fire.

"Wherever we find that people's lives are being put at risk from inadequate fire precautions, we will not hesitate to issue Enforcement Notices and, if these are not complied with, take action through the courts. The decision by the magistrates to impose a fine and costs totalling £5,000 demonstrate they also take this issue seriously."

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Former Hotel Manager fined for failing to comply with Enforcement Notice