| As one time regular guests at Bed and Breakfast | | | | advisory and discusses the issue with a number |
| accommodation establishments throughout the UK | | | | of other authorities (including the Tourist Board) |
| and Europe we were always amazed at the | | | | who all felt they were safe as they only had |
| quantity, quality and diversity of accommodation. | | | | three rooms. A few days later the Fire officer |
| The friendliness and willingness to help has always | | | | accompanied by 2 other colleagues returned and |
| been a hallmark of the small B&B especially | | | | demanded that the room be closed 'Immediately'. |
| within the UK. I can't remember the last time we | | | | This was a major problem as there were guests |
| stayed in a hotel. Why pay extra for a hotel | | | | in the room at the time. After some discussion it |
| when B&B accommodation offers so much | | | | was agreed that as a 'Closure notice' could not be |
| more in homeliness, character and personal | | | | issued that day the room could remain occupied |
| service. The success and number of B&Bs | | | | but would need to be closed the next day. Again |
| throughout the UK has partly been due to the | | | | after much discussion it was agreed that if a |
| ease of starting the business and the lack of | | | | temporary fire escape could be erected then the |
| regulation imposed on what is usually a second | | | | closer notice would be removed. The next day |
| income or diversification (as is the case of | | | | the fire officer dully arrived and issued the 'closure |
| Farmhouse B&B). | | | | notice'. This was withdrawn later in the day after |
| This may all be about to change as the small | | | | the fire officer agreed that the temporary escape |
| B&B is under a major threat to its very | | | | route, hastily erected out of scaffolding, was |
| existence. As from October 2006 all UK | | | | adequate. They still are discussing the issue of fire |
| businesses have to comply with the new | | | | doors, boxing in the landing and fire alarms. |
| Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The | | | | Although this is currently an isolated incident, our |
| initial thoughts of the industry were that this | | | | neighbour's B&B is no different to ours or |
| would pass us by, as has most legislation in the | | | | any other in country. When the inspectors arrive |
| past. Just carry out a Fire Risk Assessment (as | | | | at our B&B we expect the same problems. |
| advised by the Tourist Board) and everything | | | | As we are not going to deface our home in the |
| would be fine. Accommodation providers in the | | | | way the fire services seem to be demanding, we, |
| UK with less than 3 rooms have usually been | | | | along with many others, are going to have to |
| exempt from the regulations imposed on their | | | | close. |
| bigger brothers. Unfortunately this is not going to | | | | Although this is a problem for the B&B |
| be the case this time. The fire services appear to | | | | provider there is also likely to be a major |
| be classifying all accommodation providers the | | | | knock-on affect to the local economy. In our case |
| same way. This is likely to mean fire doors, fire | | | | this will affect our; cleaner, handyman, butchers, |
| alarms, unsightly fire notices (that few read) and | | | | greengrocers, the local lady who supplies our jams |
| probably, in the extreme, boxed in landings and | | | | etc, the local restaurants and pubs our guest eat |
| fire escapes. As most B&B are also where | | | | in etc. Bakewell will move even further towards a |
| the owners live, most of us are going to find it | | | | 'day trippers' town with the subsequent downturn |
| difficult to deface our homes with these | | | | in income. In short this is not just a B&B |
| measures. Also In some cases the costs are likely | | | | problem it is a local tourist trade problem. I feel |
| to be prohibitive. | | | | sure some B&Bs will carry out the work |
| A year ago I would have said this was just | | | | required by the fire authorities but many more |
| alarmist but following the experience of our | | | | won't. Are we seeing the end of the UK |
| neighbours (one of many peak district cottages in | | | | B&B? |
| the area) I am not so sure. They were visited by | | | | As we also have a number of self catering |
| a fire officer who declared their upstairs room as | | | | Holiday cottages within the Peak District we are |
| unsafe and a fire escape, fire door and boxed in | | | | also concerned at the impact this legislation is likely |
| landing was required. The neighbour took this as | | | | to have on them. |