Wolverhampton sport shop hit by £37k fine after fire exit blockage
Lives were put at risk when a Wolverhampton sports shop blocked its fire exit with a padlocked gate – landing bosses with a fine of £37,500 and costs of £48,500.
Sportsdirect.com installed the gate to stop its staff accessing the asbestos-infected empty third floor of its Queen Street store.
But Wolverhampton Crown Court was today told that the barrier, which was located on the shop's second floor – used by staff – also mistakenly blocked a fire exit.
The gate was there for eight months and the court heard that if there had been a fire in the shop employees were put at risk of 'death or serious injury'.
The firm – founded by Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley – today pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to ensure persons could evacuate the premises as quickly and safely as possible.
The court heard that four or five staff had access to the second floor.
However Mr Mark Jackson, prosecuting on behalf of West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority, said that the erroneously-fitted gate – discovered during an inspection in 2009 – placed staff at a huge risk.
He said: "A fire on the first floor would have placed anyone on the second floor at risk of death or serious injury."
The firm told the court it had been put there by mistake and the gate was taken down as soon as the issue was identified by fire chiefs.
