Staff lived in offices with serious fire risk
A CO-OWNER of a restaurant has been prosecuted after staff were allowed to live in former offices where there was serious fire risks and poor hygiene.
Noorjahan Begum, from Rossendale, admitted two offences under the housing legislation designed to protect occupiers of properties in multiple occupations.
It came following an investigation by Flintshire’s Environmental Health team.
Begum, of Haslingden Road, who co-owns the Amantola restaurant on Welsh Road, Garden City, failed to comply with Prohibition Orders made in 2019.
During September and November 2019, the Environmental Health team visited the staff accommodation at the site, comprising former offices to the first floor of both buildings, reported North Wales Live. Staff were discovered to be living in the building next door to the restaurant, with serious fire risks. The building contained no fire alarm or fire doors, and portable heating was in use.
Electrical defects were also found and cooking facilities were being used on the escape route.
Conditions were also reported to be “unhygienic”.
Officers found a defective alarm, further portable heaters in use, exposed electrical wiring and the accommodation had inadequate cooking facilities.
The living conditions above the restaurant were so serious, Environmental Health had to make an Emergency Prohibition Order.
But during a revisit by Environmental Health in January 2020, the properties were still being used by staff for living and sleeping purposes - in breach of the Prohibition Orders.
Begum argued that steps had been taken to remove the risk and that the existence of a tenant caused practical difficulties.
Nonetheless, Magistrates said it was clear Begum had failed to carry out the necessary repairs and left the staff at risk.
At the hearing, Begum pleaded guilty to both offences and was ordered to pay £2,115 within 28 days.