Construction company fined £165,000 for fire safety failures at Preston development
Iain Hoey
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Fire safety enforcement leads to £165,000 penalty
An Altrincham-based construction company has been fined after failing to implement basic fire safety measures during a residential conversion project in central Preston.
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Glovers Court Ltd was fined £165,000 following repeated breaches of fire safety duties during redevelopment works at a warehouse on Glovers Court.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) first inspected the six-storey building on 16 May 2023 and found major deficiencies, including no fire detection system or evacuation plans.
LFRS issued a prohibition notice requiring the building to be vacated by occupants and stopped further works pending fire safety improvements.
The HSE said its own inspection confirmed that Glovers Court Ltd had not maintained proper compartmentation and failed to phase works to reduce fire spread risks.
HSE outlines repeated breaches at Preston site
The HSE reported that during its initial inspection, Glovers Court Ltd had no active fire detection or alarm systems in place at the time of redevelopment.
The inspection found that the site lacked adequate means of raising an alarm and had not maintained compartmentation across the floors, creating the potential for rapid fire spread.
Following this visit, the HSE issued both a prohibition notice and an improvement notice, halting work until suitable precautions were established and requiring the company to prepare a fire management plan.
However, further site visits by the HSE in June and November 2023 confirmed that the company had continued construction activities despite failing to comply with either enforcement notice.
According to the HSE, this ongoing non-compliance constituted a criminal offence under health and safety law.
Legal outcome and penalties imposed
Glovers Court Ltd, registered in Altrincham, Cheshire, was prosecuted in absence at Preston Magistrates’ Court on 26 June 2025.
The court found the company guilty of four offences under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA) and Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015).
These included breaching Regulation 11(1) and 13(1) of CDM 2015, relating to failure to plan, manage, and monitor safety during both pre-construction and construction phases.
The company was also convicted of two counts under section 33(1)(g) of HSWA for breaching improvement and prohibition notices.
Glovers Court Ltd was fined £165,000 and ordered to pay £10,512 in costs.
The HSE confirmed that the company has since entered liquidation.
Regulator and fire service statements
HSE inspector Christine McGlynn said: “This company showed a blatant disregard to both fire safety and the laws in place to protect both people and places.
“Each year there are estimated to be hundreds of fires on construction sites, potentially putting the lives of workers and members of the public at risk.
“Any outbreak of fire threatens the safety of those on site and is costly in terms of its damage and delay.
“Many can be avoided by careful planning and control of work activities.”
A spokesperson for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: “This prosecution highlights the positive outcomes multi agency working has for fire safety in Lancashire.
“It also highlights the critical importance property developers, owners and managers must give to fire safety.
“We welcome the court’s recognition of the seriousness of these breaches and hope this serves as a clear message to all about their legal and moral responsibilities.”
Legislative framework and guidance
The HSE stated that construction employers are required under UK law to carry out suitable fire risk assessments and implement proportionate control measures.
This includes providing fire detection and alarm systems and ensuring firefighting equipment is properly located on site.
Guidance on meeting these legal obligations is available under Regulation 32 of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and in HSE publication HSG168, “Fire safety in construction”.
The HSE confirmed that enforcement action was led by enforcement lawyer Karen Park and paralegal Rebecca Withell.
Construction company fined £165,000 for fire safety failures at Preston development: Summary
An Altrincham-based construction company has been fined over fire safety failures in Preston.
The Health and Safety Executive said Glovers Court Ltd breached safety laws during a redevelopment project at Glovers Court.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service first visited the site in May 2023 and issued a prohibition notice.
The HSE later found ongoing breaches and issued an improvement notice.
Further inspections confirmed the company had continued work without compliance.
The company was found guilty of four offences at Preston Magistrates’ Court.
The offences included breaches of CDM 2015 and failure to follow enforcement notices.
Glovers Court Ltd was fined £165,000 and ordered to pay £10,512 in costs.
The company is now in liquidation.
Statements were issued by HSE inspector Christine McGlynn and LFRS.
HSE guidance requires suitable fire precautions on all construction sites.
