A guest house near Shepton Mallet, Somerset, has been slapped with a £26,000 fine following serious fire safety failures. Prestleigh Inn B&B Limited appeared at Taunton Magistrates Court on July 16, facing charges brought by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.
The investigation was triggered by a guest’s report highlighting fire safety concerns at the five-bedroom establishment. Subsequent inspections by fire safety officials in May 2025 uncovered multiple violations, including an absence of a fire risk assessment, a malfunctioning fire alarm system riddled with nine faults, and inadequate maintenance of emergency lighting and firefighting equipment.
In addition, inspectors found several fire doors to be defective—critical failings since fire doors are vital to preventing the spread of fire and smoke. Due to these serious deficiencies, the inspectors issued two legal notices banning any overnight stays until all remedial work was completed.
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Prestleigh Inn B&B pleaded guilty to four offenses under the Fire Safety Order 2005:
- Article 9: Failure to conduct a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment.
- Article 13: Failure to ensure proper working fire detectors and alarms.
- Article 14: Inadequate means of escape caused by defective fire doors and emergency lighting.
- Article 17: Failure to maintain and repair fire safety equipment adequately.
The court imposed fines of £16,000 for the Article 9 offense and £10,000 for Article 13. No separate penalties were assigned for the other two breaches. Additionally, the company was ordered to pay a £2,000 victim surcharge and £5,700 in costs.
Darren Bridges, Fire Safety Manager who led the investigation, emphasized the case’s importance: “This should serve as a stark warning to all guest accommodation providers about the critical need to maintain fire safety standards. Neglect puts lives at risk and leads to legal consequences. Conducting fire risk assessments and maintaining safety systems must be a priority.”
Jack Barry, counsel for the company, acknowledged their acceptance of responsibility and the insufficiency of ignorance as a defense. Since the offenses came to light, the company director has completed an IOSH risk management course and is committed to ensuring compliance to prevent future court appearances.