Miller Food and Wine Limited, located in Maidstone, was fined a total of £62,000 after pleading guilty to 10 fire safety offences. The company was prosecuted by Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) following a March 2022 inspection that uncovered critical safety failures.
The inspection revealed the absence of essential fire precautions and issues with the building’s compartmentation, creating a serious risk to life. Miller Food and Wine Limited admitted to failing to comply with a restriction imposed by Prohibition Notices. The total penalty includes a £42,000 fine, £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.”