A Kent business has been fined after admitting to serious fire safety failures that endangered both staff and customers.

Miller Food and Wine Limited, based in Lower Stone Street, Maidstone, was sentenced at Medway Magistrates' Court on 3 September 2025, following a prosecution by Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS).

The prosecution followed an inspection by KFRS officers in March 2022, which identified significant fire safety concerns, including the absence of essential fire precautions and breaches in compartmentation of the building, which posed a serious risk to life in the event of a fire.

The business pleaded guilty to 10 offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, including failure to comply with a restriction imposed by Prohibition Notices.

The company was ordered to pay a total of £62,000 in penalties, comprising of £18,000 for the initial failures, a further £24,000 for breaching the Prohibition Order, £18,000 in costs, and a £2,000 victim surcharge.

Daniel Noonan, Head of Building Safety at KFRS, said "Public safety is our highest priority, and today’s sentencing serves as a clear reminder to all businesses in Kent and Medway about the importance of complying with fire safety legislation.

“Fire safety is a shared responsibility, and we are committed to supporting businesses to ensure the safety of the public by offering advice and guidance.  

“However, where lives are put at risk and there is a failure in meeting fire safety obligations, we will pursue legal action when necessary.”

Offences in Detail:

• Failure to assess fire risks (Article 9(1))
  A lack of suitable or sufficient fire risk assessment was carried out, exposing people to serious risk.
   
• Failure to manage fire precautions (Article 11(1))
  No effective arrangements were in place for planning, organising, or reviewing fire safety measures.
   
• Lack of fire detection and alarms (Article 13(1)(a))
  No Appropriate automatic fire detectors and alarms were not provided.
   
• Blocked escape routes (Article 14(1)(a))
  Combustible materials obstructing the only staircase, compromising emergency escape.
   
• Defective fire door (Article 17(1))
  Faulty fire doors, which in the event of fire would mean smoke and flames could spread into escape routes.
   
• Compromised escape route (Article 8(1)(a))
  A breach in compartmentation on the staircase would allow smoke and flames to spread into the only escape route.
   
• Basement fire risks (Article 8(1))
  Breaches in compartmentation in the basement, which stored stock and electrical equipment, risked rapid fire spread.
   
• Inadequate emergency lighting (Article 14(2)(h))
  Emergency lighting was only provided in some areas of the premises, leaving escape routes unlit in a power failure.
   
• Breach of Prohibition Notice (Article 31)
  The first floor was used in contravention of restrictions of a Prohibition Notice.
   
• Use of bedroom in prohibited area (Article 31)
  A first-floor bedroom was being used for sleeping, which breached a Prohibition Notice.