The Hind Hotel in Wellingborough town centre has been fined £75,000 after failing to comply with an Enforcement Notice issued by Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) requiring improvements to its fire safety measures.

During a routine inspection on 21 May, members of NFRS’s Protection Team identified a number of fire safety deficiencies at the Grade II-listed premises. Among the concerns was a faulty fire alarm system, which appeared to have been inoperative for an extended period, potentially since 2021.

An Enforcement Notice was subsequently issued, requiring the responsible person to carry out the necessary remedial work to bring the premises into compliance with fire safety legislation. However, at a follow-up inspection on 10 September, officers found that the required actions had not been completed.

As a result of this continued non-compliance, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service proceeded with legal action against the business. The company was ordered to pay a £75,000 fine, along with £4,200 in costs and a £2,000 victim surcharge.

Scott Richards, Head of Protection at Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We work very hard with businesses across the county to make sure that their premises meet the highest standards so they can ensure the safety of their customers and staff.”

Richards continued: “On this occasion, we gave the company every opportunity to rectify its fire alarm system, but it didn’t take any action to address these issues when we served the Enforcement Notice.”

In conclusion, Richards noted: “We never take the decision to prosecute a business lightly. We hope that the sentencing of this premises serves as a reminder that, should businesses choose to put their customers at risk, then we will take clear and decisive action to hold them to account for failing to keep people safe.”

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