Bar owner fined £160k over fire safety breaches

The fine was imposed by magistrates in Kirklees on Thursday

A firm has been fined £160,000 for a "blatant disregard for safety" over breaches of fire regulations at a bar in Huddersfield.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) said inspectors visited the Showtime Sports Bar on Zetland Street several times and found repeated breaches.

Hellfire Entertainment Ltd were issued with an enforcement notice but were taken to court for having failed to comply.

In addition to imposing the substantial fine, magistrates in Kirklees also awarded £17,280 in costs.

WYFRS said the breaches officers had found included no automatic fire detection in the kitchen, blocked fire exits and no fire separation between the open kitchen, which included multiple deep fat fryers, and the bar.

Senior fire protection manager Chris Kemp said the fine handed out was the "biggest in any prosecution" by the service for failure to comply with an enforcement notice.

"Our staff have worked tirelessly to bring about justice and prosecute for these breaches, protecting the lives of the public of West Yorkshire, we have also tried to work with the limited company to resolve the issues, to no avail."

He said he hoped it would set a precedent and encourage others to "take their obligations seriously".

"It's a reminder that safety must never be compromised for convenience or cost-cutting."

Handing down the penalty, Kirklees Magistrates' Court described the company as having "a total, blatant disregard for the safety of both members of the public and their own employees" and acting with a "breach of duty and a breach of trust".

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