Fines exceeding £30,000 were imposed by Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court after dangerous working conditions were uncovered at a Southall 'cash and carry' store.

Fair Deal Cash and Carry Ltd, situated on Boeing Way in Southall, was inspected by Ealing Council safety inspectors in December 2021. They uncovered a lot of health and safety violations. Large heavy boxes were stacked at dangerous heights and staff had to climb racking to retrieve stock. There was inadequate heating and a lack of risk assessments

While inspecting, inspectors found damaged glass roof panels, posing an imminent risk of severe harm. Consequently, the business received a prohibition notice, prohibiting access to the area until repairs were made.

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Despite being served with another three improvement notices on 20 December 2021, a subsequent inspection on 3 March 2022, revealed minimal progress, with only one notice deemed compliant.

Fair Deal Cash and Carry Ltd, along with the company director Survir Singh Nagpal of Whitton Dene, Isleworth, pleaded guilty in December 2023 to breaching health and safety regulations.

Manager Raj Singh Alwadi of Baron Avenue, Hounslow, initially pleaded not guilty but was later found guilty on all counts after a trial on 18 March 2024.

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On April 9, 2024, All three parties were sentenced collectively, on 9 April 2024, and ordered to pay over £30,000 in fines. This covered fines of £18,000 for Fair Deal Cash and Carry Ltd, £2,123 for Mr. Nagpal, and £3,184 for Mr. Alwadi. Additionally, the council was granted costs amounting to £6,991.

Following the court decision, the business has taken steps to ensure compliance, such as appointing a health and safety advisor.

Councillor Louise Brett, the council’s cabinet member for decent living incomes, said: "Our enforcement team have, again, done some fantastic work in ensuring that local employers are meeting their responsibilities with health and safety."

"We will continue to support local businesses to ensure that regulations are upheld and employees feel safe in their work environments. We will not hesitate to take the strongest action possible against employers who fail to offer a safe place to work for their team."