During an audit of the premises in May 2007, fire inspectors found Mr Cook had failed to carry out a fire risk assessment and make sure emergency exits were not obstructed. The Barrow businessman also did not have any fire-fighting equipment in the building.

An enforcement notice was issued by Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service setting out a timescale for the matters to be rectified which Mr Cook failed to comply with, leading to his prosecution earlier this month.

Commenting, Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service Station Manager Alan Maguire, said: "Fire safety regulations place a duty on businesses to make sure their premises are safe from fire. People who ignore their responsibilities and put lives in danger will be prosecuted."

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety Order) was introduced by the Government in 2006 and covers almost every type of building, structure and open space, except for private homes and individual flats, although communal areas will still be affected.

The regulation covers 22,000 premises in Cumbria with employers, self-employed people with properties, voluntary organisations, people responsible for buildings with public access and any contractor who exercises control over any sites having a duty to ensure the safety of everyone who uses their premises.

More information on the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety Order) and how businesses and other affected premises should comply, can be found on the Fire Gateway website at www.fire.gov.uk/workplace+safety/

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