Preparations for the new fire safety regulations, due in October, are causing licensees major financial headaches.
The changes, which affect all businesses in England and Wales, will see a shift of responsibility to owners and employers - who will be required to assess fire risks on their premises. Licensees will also be responsible, not only for customers and employees, but anyone else in the immediate vicinity.
But some pubs claim the changes are forcing them to spend large amounts of money to meet the required standards.
Trevor Nesbitt, licensee at the Grapes, in Southampton, said he is having to spend £5,000 to refurbish a lobby area in his pub to meet the new regulations. "The costs are spiralling out of control for publicans," he said. "These new regualtions have just been thrown at us at such a speed - nobody is prepared."
At the London Hotel, in Southampton, licensee David Riley, has had to spend £8,000 on his pub."The main problem is that the fire service representatives don't understand what the legislation is. They are confusing things, which is causing us a lot of headaches," he said.
A spokeswoman for the Department for Communities and Local Government said that licensees should "not see any difference". She added: "In most cases, if you are complying with the existing legislation it should not cost you more and in some cases it will save people money."
What will the new rules mean?
- Fire safety certificates will be abolished and cease to have legal status
- Responsibility for complying with the new rules will rest with the "responsible person" in a workplace, ie the licensee
- The "responsible person" must carry out a fire risk assessment focusing on the safety, in case of fire, of all "relevant persons"
- If you employ five or more people you must record the significant findings of the assessment
- The new rules will only apply in England and Wales
To download a guide to the new legislation go to: www.communities.gov.uk