Fines totalling £4,160 have been issued to the landlord of troubled Holbeach town centre premises The Chequers.
Landlord Chony Andrews was issued with a £2,500 fine for failing to comply with an Improvement Notice (£500 for each of five offences) and £1,000 for failing to licence a house in multiple occupation (HMO).
Councillor Christine Lawton, South Holland District Council portfolio holder for Housing and Health, said:
“Everyone has the right to live in a safe and decent home. The conditions that we discovered at this property were completely unacceptable and risked putting the health and safety of the occupants at risk.
“Rented accommodation must provide a healthy and safe environment for tenants and anyone else connected to the property. The legislation and standards in place exist for a reason and we will not hesitate to take action against anyone who does not comply.”
South Holland District Council carried out a series of inspections of The Chequers after the Food Health and Safety Team raised concerns about the condition and occupancy of the property.
It was found to be in urgent need of work and an Improvement Notice was issued.
Over the following months further reminders were sent but the instructed work was not being carried out and, after Mrs Andrews had failed to act upon the five identified hazards, coupled with the failure to licence an HMO, she was summoned to Boston Magistrates Court for hearing on Tuesday.
Mrs Andrews failed to attend court but magistrates agreed to hear the case in her absence, and she was found guilty of the offences charged. She was also ordered to pay a contribution to the council’s costs and a mandatory victim surcharge, bringing her total fine to £4,160.
The premises licence for the business was withdrawn by South Holland District Council last year.
Holbeach Parish Council chairman Paul Foyster said: “It’s sad that it was necessary for the district council to go to court to make the owners of The Chequers understand the law has to be obeyed.
“The money needed to pay the fine would have gone some way to putting the building right. Aside from the issues covered by the court case – all important safety matters, the building has been an eyesore that has blighted
Holbeach High Street for years and various elected representatives have strived during much of that time to make the owners understand how much this derelict looking hotel has damaged the town’s reputation and reduced the footfall in the town centre.
“It would be unfortunate if The Chequers is now completely closed and left to deteriorate further. I can only hope the building is now placed on the market at a realistic price and is sold to someone who will renovate the building or even redevelop the site.”
