14/04/2026
Hi All!
Just thought I would share with you my response to a Fire Safety Inspection by the authorities which after finishing, the young lady said 'I hope you have somewhere else to sleep as you can't sleep here' and slapped me with a Prohibition order forbidding the use of upstairs (my private accommodation) for sleeping, resting or any purpose. She then went on to point out that it would be a criminal offense for me to use the flat. She also said I needed a fire detection system at 'level 1' which is the highest level for the likes of hospitals.
Here is my response:
Further to your fire safety inspection of the Wellington Inn and subsequent issuing of a prohibition notice for the use of the private accommodation upstairs and the 12 point enforcement notice, I question your judgement and jurisdiction.
For a small business trading in challenging conditions, it would be far more helpful to offer consultation in the first instance rather than issuing unsympathetic notices and demands on a financially struggling business.
The Wellington Inn is a detached 2 storey property in a rural location, which if a fire broke out when the building was empty would not risk potential harm to persons or other properties. Its small car park and the lack of any practical parking in the vicinity creates a natural capacity for the pub of 60-70 guests.
On your visit you quoted that I needed a ‘Level 1’ fire detection system, which on investigation is the most comprehensive system and would come at a cost of some £16,000. I seriously debate this need as when we are open to the public and staff are on duty, we are more likely to detect a fire and raise the alarm before any detection system. When the staff are present and the pub is not open then it would only be beneficial to have a fire detection system should a fire break out at the other end of the building and likewise, whilst upstairs where there is already a smoke detector it would be beneficial to be made aware of a fire downstairs. However in my opinion a simple basic system is all that is required.
As to your prohibition notice for the use of upstairs for ‘any purpose’, I find this totally excessive. There is a fire break at the top of the stairs by means of a double glazed bevelled glass window across the landing with a door at the top of the stairs. There is a smoke detector on the landing and a very accessible alternative exit through a bedroom window onto the dining room flat roof. The upstairs flat is my home, it is not accessible to by the staff or the paying public so I do not consider it to be any concern of yours. To first of all render me effectively homeless when in fact I have better protection than most living in their homes and exclude me from using the washing machine or even having a shower is quite frankly ludicrous!
In order to gain practical compliance within financial constraints, I intend to;
• Clad the ceiling of the beer cellar and underside of the staircase.
• Fit a break bar to the external store room exit at the end of the dining room.
• Reverse the opening of the internal dining room exit door.
• Fit a fire door from the kitchen through to the bar.
• Fit interlinked smoke and heat detectors throughout the bar and restaurant, kitchen, lavatory block and upstairs.
• Fit external solar powered lights at the exits.
• Review exit and fire fighting equipment signage.
• Complete require paperwork and training.
• Replace the door at the top of the stairs with a fire door.
The existing emergency lighting has been recently replaced and should be sufficient.
I respectfully request an extension period for the carpentry work to be scheduled and completed.
Yours sincerely
Giles Goodhew. Proprietor, The Wellington Inn
