National discount chain Poundstretcher Limited has been fined £51,500 and ordered to pay £3,450 costs at Leeds crown court for seven offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Offences included, failure to review its fire risk assessment, blocked escape routes and exits, and lack of staff fire training.Prosecution followed breaches of fire safety legislation at three other Poundstretcher premises.
In July 2009 Poundstretcher was fined £12,000 and ordered to pay £2,460 costs at Halifax magistrates court. And in October last year the company was fined £8,500 and ordered to pay £2,461 costs at Wakefield magistrates court.
These prosecutions follow other high profile organisations such as Tesco, Co-Op and New Look that have recently failed to maintained fire safety standards which have resulted in prosecutions. It is now becoming obvious that fire authorities will no longer tolerate poor fire safety and regradless of the size of the organisation , will take legal action.