Club boss fined for letting people smoke

A WARRINGTON nightclub boss has been fined £250 and ordered to pay £100 costs after admitting failing to stop people smoking in the club.
He was Fitzroy Hamilton, supervisor at Club Wired in Mersey Street.
It was only the second prosecution brought by Warrington Borough Council under the smokefree legislation since it came into force in July 2007
Warrington Magistrates were told public protection staff and police visited the club in March. Three individuals were served with fixed penalty notices after they were seen smoking inside the club.
A second visit in May resulted in two further penalties being served. Three of the five individuals were also prosecuted by the council for failure to pay the fine of £50 that accompanies the notice and were fined between £50 and £75, with an additional £50 costs each.
The court was told that Mr Hamilton has since improved measures to prevent people smoking inside the club.
After the hearing, Coun Mike Biggin, the council’s executive member for climate change and public protection, said: “The introduction of smokefree legislation is significant in reducing the effect of second hand smoke and any breaches should be treated seriously.”
The council says anyone who wants report someone smoking in a smokefree area or vehicle should call 01925 442644.
Failure to comply with the smokefree law is a criminal offence.
Smoking in a banned area can result in a fixed penalty notice of £50 or a fine of up to £200.
Failure to display no-smoking signs can result in a fixed penalty notice of £200 or a fine of £1,000.
Failing to prevent smoking can result in a fine of up to £2,500.