Business information

Big fines for fireworks breach

A Hertford shop owner got a rocket from magistrates over some badly-stored fireworks.

Keith Young, 53, left Hertford Magistrates Court with fines and costs of more than £11,500 for storing fireworks unsafely in the basement of Messages of Herts, in Fore Street.

The fireworks were not kept in a container or separated from other goods, as required by law. There were open light fittings nearby and the only fire exit was blocked.

On Wednesday, magistrates imposed two fines of £3,000 on Mr Young for the storage and fire exit breaches, and £750 for failing to have a written risk assessment for the property.

For Messages of Herts, which Young is the sole director of, these fines were two of £750, and one of £250.

In addition to this, Young, of Carnaby Road, Hoddesdon, was fined £2,500 because his shop manager had lied to trading standards officers about the presence of fireworks in the basement.

"The level of the fines shows how seriously the courts take cases like this," said Keith Emsall, Hertfordshire County Council's executive member with responsibility for trading standards.

"The storage was dangerous and put staff in danger, which is unacceptable. I hope this prosecution sends a message to other traders that fireworks must be kept in a safe way for the safety of their staff and their customers."

The offences, breaches of regulations made under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, were discovered during a routine inspection of the store on November 3 last year.

Trading standards carry out inspections of most retailers of fireworks during October and November every year.

Retailers storing fireworks need to register with trading standards, and any businesses needing advice on how to store explosives correctly can contact Trading Standards on 01727 813849.

Members of the public who would like to report unsafe storage of fireworks should contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.