The owners of the Midland Hotel in Bradford have been fined following delays in removing asbestos.
Asbestos found in staff areas
In November 2017 asbestos was found in a number of areas of the hotel. These areas were used by staff and included a lift shaft, old kitchen area and basement corridor, guests did not use the affected areas.
Unacceptable delays in removal of asbestos
The Council was made aware that the asbestos had still not been removed from the hotel on 16th May 2018 and on 22nd May, when environmental health officers attended the hotel, the asbestos was still present. In addition, the hotel was unable to produce necessary paperwork including health and safety assessments.
£24,000 fine
The Court voiced concerns that the hotel had failed to take the presence of asbestos seriously. The hotel owners were fined £24,000 and ordered to pay costs of £6,000. The judge warned that had it not been for the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastating impact it has had on the hospitality industry, the fine would have been far more.
We are pleased to see the Council and the Court taking these delays seriously and holding the hotel accountable. It is not clear from reports whether the asbestos was exposed and whether it posed a risk to staff working in the affected areas.
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