01 Oct 2012
Travelodge has been fined £13,000 after fire crews discovered poor fire safety measures at its hotel at Gatwick Airport.
The firm pleaded guilty to breaching fire safety regulations at Haywards Heath magistrates’ court and it was also told to pay costs of £6,500. The hotel has since reopened after the failings were rectified.
The UK hotel chain admitted seven offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 after crews responded to a fire on the property’s ground floor in September 2011.
Responders found that the hotel in Horley had escape routes that were obstructed, fire exits that were blocked and an inadequate fire alarm system.
Fire crews immediately placed a prohibition notice on the property, which prevented guests from staying in the Gatwick Airport Central hotel.
Travelodge officials had also failed to properly maintain fire safety equipment or review their fire safety assessment, it was discovered. They did not provide adequate training to staff or put sufficient prevention and protection measures in place.
Copyright Press Association 2012