A Lake District inn and its director will have to pay over £14,000 for breaches of fire safety legislation.

The director of the premises was charged with six breaches relating to the property which he owns in Grasmere.

Cumbria County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service carried out an inspection of the premises last summer, and found a building being used as a house for staff who worked at the inn. A sufficient fire risk assessment wasn’t in place for the building which had no fire alarm, no fire extinguishers and inadequate fire doors and means of escape.

The inn itself was also charged with breaches in addition to the manager, who entered six guilty pleas on behalf of both himself and the company.

Kendal Magistrates’ Court imposed a fine of £750 for each of the breaches, totalling £9,000. Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service were also awarded £3,800 in costs with a further £1,500 for their solicitor. The addition of the £120 victim support levy brought the final total to £14,420 which must be paid within five months.

Cumbria’s Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Adrian Buckle, said:

“This prosecution demonstrates that we will thoroughly investigate and appropriately pursue those businesses and individuals who recklessly ignore fire safety and potentially put lives at risk.

“I’m pleased the court recognised the serious nature of these breaches and this case should act as a warning to others who don’t have the correct fire safety measures in place.”