Night spots ‘be-prepared’ for corporate manslaughter charges: Alliance

The UK’s restaurants and night spot owner’s should be prepared in the event of a major incident, or face possible charges of corporate manslaughter, warned Alliance Corporate Risk Management.

Last June authorities foiled a terrorist plot to detonate two cars filled with explosive devices outside the London’s fashionable Tiger Tiger.

Although the bombs did not explode, Tiger Tiger faced intense scrutiny in the months that followed as both the media and authorities tried to find the owners guilty of a level of ‘unpreparedness’ in the event of such an attack.

Fortunately Tiger Tiger had the necessary emergency procedures in place to evacuate staff and customers.

Alliance said that with the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act coming into force in April, it will be much easier to prosecute an errant organisation.

“Whilst it is impossible for night spots to combat the threat of major incidents, these threats are foreseeable, therefore, it is imperative to be prepared in the event of such attack as negligence in this area could see venue owners brought to trial.

John McLaren-Stewart, chief executive of Alliance

John McLaren-Stewart, chief eecutive of Alliance said: ‘It is every employer’s duty to ensure the safety of its employees and customers.’Every venue needs an evacuation plan in the event of a major incident or they could be in breach of health and safety regulations and the duty of care owed to its employees and customers.’

He added: ‘Nightclubs and heavily populated bars and restaurants have long been a favourite target of Islamic radicals planning to bring terror to the heart of Western cities. To the fundamentalist, night clubs epitomise everything they abhor about the West.’

Fire is just as deadly and venue owners need to be equally prepared for this, added Stewart.

‘Whilst it is impossible for night spots to combat the threat of major incidents, these threats are foreseeable, therefore, it is imperative to be prepared in the event of such attack as negligence in this area could see venue owners brought to trial.’