Discount retailer Poundstretcher has been fined and left with a bill of nearly £80,000 after dangerously storing and overstocking goods in its warehouse.
South Kesteven District Council prosecuted the Poundstretcher store in Stamford for three offences under health and safety legislation at its Markham Retail Park base after an inspection found its walkways and fire exits were obstructed by stock in June 2014.
Lincoln Crown Court heard that goods were also being stored on an unguarded roof space and being stacked high and unevenly, potentially endangering staff.
Following a complaint by a member of staff to the council’s Environmental Health team, problems were also witnessed with pigeons nesting in the warehouse causing a build up of droppings in the work area and faeces being left on product packaging.
The firm had previously pleaded guilty to all offences at Grantham Magistrates’ Court.
Citing Poundstretcher’s poor health and safety record, including 15 other cases of the firm being prosecuted for similar offences nationally in recent years, he fined them £65,000 for the three offences and ordered them to pay £13,968 costs.
Judge Mr Recorder Stephen Lowne said the company’s behaviour was “disgraceful, unacceptable and a clear and obvious risk to staff.”
The council had previously prosecuted the Stamford store in August 2011 for three offences under health and safety legislation in relation to the poor storage of stock in the warehouse when they were fined £22,500.
Later this year, it is introducing an initiative to increase education among similar retailers in the pound store style market with each receiving a letter advising of unannounced inspections aimed at ensuring safe working environments for employees and customers.
SKDC’s executive manager for environment, Ian Yates, said: “To support retailers in this sector of the market we want to work with them to ensure their practices are robust and up to date.
“Among our priorities is to help grow the economy in the district and we want to help businesses flourish as getting health and safety right makes good business sense.”
