A Lancaster food business has been handed a £20,000 fine for health and safety failures.
Council officers visited Burgshake Restaurants and found a failure to guard access to dangerous machinery and also found the company were allowing foul water to run down a path to residents’ homes.
They found a protective guard missing from the rotating blade of an extraction fan – which posed an injury risk. They issued a Prohibition Notice to stop the fan being used, as well as an improvement notice requiring it to be made safe.
They also ordered that the drainage onto an access path, regularly used by students to reach their accommodation, be rectified to protect the health of the public.
After the St Leonardsgate business failed to comply, the case was taken to Lancaster Magistrates Court, when the business pleaded guilty to one health and safety offence, one food safety and hygiene offence, and two counts of failing to comply with improvement notices.
The court ordered the company to pay a £20,000 fine, plus pay costs of £2,723.44 and a victim surcharge of £2,000.
A spokesperson for Lancaster City Council said: ‘’Public safety is non-negotiable and our environmental health teams are out and about every day checking that business adhere to food and health and safety regulations.’’


New drumming festival to be held in Morecambe
New four-day Lancaster Fringe Festival announced
Former Lancaster antiques centre revamp gets go-ahead
Controversial new housing plans near Lancaster given thumbs up
LISTEN: Plans revealed for 'permanent seasonal' Lancaster On Ice
Morecambe woman charged with murder following death of eight-week-old baby
Rescue after person stuck in mud in Lancaster
Hundreds expected at Eden Project Morecambe 'breaking ground ceremony'
Morecambe children's nursery announces plans to close during extreme heat
Lancaster MP responds to Sir Keir Starmer's resignation as Prime Minister
Carnforth High School praised as a "caring community" in Ofsted report
Body of man found in Lancaster park
LISTEN and PHOTOS: Armed Forces weekend will return after massive crowds enjoy biggest ever event
Morecambe MP says Sir Keir Starmer "has made right decision" as Prime Minister resigns
Limited edition artwork will raise vital funds for Lancaster community group
Green Heritage Plaque marks first home of Lancaster University
New home revealed for £20m Morecambe West End regeneration scheme
Wooden nests take flight in Lancaster and Morecambe to stop decline of endangered birds
Veterans salute as Armed Forces Day flag raised at start of celebration weekend in Morecambe
Vandals cause delays to aqueduct sinkhole repairs in Lancaster

