Bar Owner Fined £160k for Fire Safety Breaches | LFS
What Happened in the Fire Safety Breach Case
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) said inspectors visited the Showtime Sports Bar on Zetland Street several times and found repeated breaches.
In addition to imposing the substantial fine, magistrates in Kirklees also awarded £17,280 in costs.
WYFRS said the breaches officers had found included no automatic fire detection in the kitchen, blocked fire exits and no fire separation between the open kitchen, which included multiple deep fat fryers, and the bar
Why Fire Safety Breaches Are So Serious
Senior fire protection manager Chris Kemp said the fine handed out was the “biggest in any prosecution” by the service for failure to comply with an enforcement notice.
“Our staff have worked tirelessly to bring about justice and prosecute for these breaches, protecting the lives of the public of West Yorkshire, we have also tried to work with the limited company to resolve the issues, to no avail.”
He said he hoped it would set a precedent and encourage others to “take their obligations seriously”.
“It’s a reminder that safety must never be compromised for convenience or cost-cutting.”
Handing down the penalty, Kirklees Magistrates’ Court described the company as having “a total, blatant disregard for the safety of both members of the public and their own employees” and acting with a “breach of duty and a breach of trust”.
Danielle Bayliss, Managing Director of Legionella and Fire Safe Services
“It’s always disappointing to see cases like this, fire safety breaches, but they serve as a strong reminder of why fire safety compliance can never be treated as a tick-box exercise.
Fire safety regulations exist to protect lives, not just buildings. When systems, training, or checks are neglected, the consequences can be devastating – both legally and morally.
At Legionella & Fire Safe Services, we work with business owners every day who want to do the right thing but often don’t know where to start. If this story highlights anything, it’s the importance of proactive fire risk assessments, clear evacuation procedures, and keeping documentation up to date.”
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