Lives ‘put at risk by hotel owner’

26/05/2010

A Hotel owner has been fined for breaching fire regulations and putting guests' lives at risk.

Subhash Jajoo, owner of the Pack Horse Hotel in Nelson Square, Bolton town centre, appeared at Bolton Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to five charges brought by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.

He was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay costs of more than £10,000 after being criticised for putting guests at risk.

Presiding magistrate Jean Gittins said: "The fire regulations are there to ensure the safety of the public and anyone engaged in hotel management should be aware of them and ensure they are fully complied with, otherwise safety of the public is put at risk."

The charges he admitted included failing to make a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment, an escape route being blocked by a roller shutter door, failing to provide adequate smoke doors, failing to maintain appropriate fire fighting equipment, and failing to provide appointed persons with sufficient training.

He pleaded not guilty to a further six charges, which were dismissed by the magistrates.

The court was told that the hotel was inspected by fire officers on December 15, 2008, but the charges were not brought before the court until November, 2009.

Warren Spencer, prosecuting, said the fire service thought he was "trying to hide behind a corporate veil".

But his defence solicitor Mike Rainford said the issues raised by the inspector were put right within a few days.

He added: "This is not a situation of some fly by night trying to run an organisation by doing as little as possible.

They are matters that were put right and it is just a pity that myself and Dr Jajoo did not get together 12 months ago as we probably could have resolved this without troubling the courts."

Dr Jajoo, aged 55, said after the hearing: "I am not happy with the prosecution costs and I don't think this should have come to court.

"The points raised were rectified in a matter of days and I did my best.

"I am proud to be the owner of the Pack Horse and hope that it can be refurbished and opened in the future as it is a landmark hotel in Bolton."

Cllr Paul Shannon, Vice Chairman of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority said: "We welcome the clear message from the courts that action will be taken against those businesses that neglect fire safety and thereby risk the public's safety."

The hotel has been closed since November last year following a flood and needs thousands of pounds spent on it to restore to its former glory.

The hearing came a day after the hotel faced prosecution for allegedly playing music without a licence. It has until June 11 to mount a defence against the allegations.