English B&Bs hit by tougher fire rules

Published on Monday 5 January 2009 21:05

BED and breakfasts in England and Wales are having to comply with much tougher fire regulations than their counterparts in Scotland, a tourism chief has claimed.

David Weston, the chief executive of the Bed and Breakfast Association, said there must be "a level playing field" to prevent more B&Bs closing down.

The 2006 regulations brought very small premises, such as family homes, into the fire precaution regime for the first time. Some B&B operators have had difficulty financing the necessary changes, with a number going out of business.

Mr Weston said enforcement of the new regulations had been put on hold by the Scottish Parliament, while Whitehall plans to extend enforcement in England and Wales to homeowners hosting students.

"Many small B&Bs have already closed, rather than substantially alter their family homes or spend a five-figure sum, when they already have appropriate fire precautions, in order to offer hospitality to a couple of guests.

"The Scottish Government has shown it can respond decisively faced with damage to tourism – which is clearly viewed in Scotland as a key industry. We call on Westminster to take similar action to put England and Wales on a level playing-field".