£5,000 for hotel manager who failed to comply with enforcement notice

A hotel manager has been ordered to pay £5,000 in fines and costs for failing to comply with an enforcement notice.

James Knappette, the former manager of Kedleston Country Hotel, near Derby, pleaded guilty at Derbyshire Magistrates Court last month.

He was fined £3,000 with £2,000 costs.

Inadequate emergency lighting and fire doors were among the problems that led to Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service issuing an enforcement notice on 28 August 2009.

He should have had the work completed by June 2010, but despite being granted two extensions to complete the work ordered, fire safety at the hotel remained inadequate, the service said.

Group manager Steve Wells, 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.”