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FOOD AND retail chain, the Co-op, has been fined £250,000 for a range of fire safety failings at six stores in Sussex. Hove Crown Court heard that the breaches uncovered at the outlets in Brighton, Forest Row, Polegate, Saltdean, Seaford and St Leonards had put customers and staff at risk.
The problems came to light after a fire at the St Leonards outlet in July 2007. East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service inspected the branch and subsequently decided to carry out a full audit of all 41 Co-op stores in Sussex.
The audit revealed a range of fire safety breaches at the six stores, including: no fire alarm system in the Brighton outlet and the Forest Row branch; locked fire escape doors at Saltdean and Seaford; and a poorly maintained fire escape ladder at St Leonards.
The Co-operative Society pleaded guilty to 13 offences under fire safety legislation. In mitigation, the company said that health and safety is a priority and that it takes its fire safety responsibilities seriously. It has since reviewed standards and invested to ensure the stores meet the required fire safety specifications.
The company was fined £20,000 for each of 11 serious breaches, and £15,000 each for two other failings. It was also ordered to pay East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service £11,167 in costs.
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