South London Bakery Slapped with £7,000 Fine Over Gas Explosion Risk
A Camberwell bakery has been hit with a hefty fine after council inspectors found a gas cooker with explosive potential and other major safety blunders.
Dangerous Gas Cooker Ignored for 18 Months
Spice N Nice, on Coldharbour Lane, faced legal action from Southwark Council after environmental health officers spotted a liquefied petroleum gas cooker that posed serious risks to customers and residents living above the shop.
During a routine inspection in July 2024, officials also uncovered hordes of gas canisters stored dangerously onsite, plus poorly maintained electrical systems featuring hazardous sockets and faulty lighting circuits.
Owners Fined Nearly £7,000 After Flouting Warnings
Owners Dezrene Judith Clarke, 53, and Mark Scott, 73, both from Carshalton, had been told 18 months earlier to stop using the perilous gas cooker. They ignored the warnings, forcing the council to take them to court.
The pair pleaded guilty at Croydon Magistrates’ Court to four offences under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Charges included failure to maintain gas equipment, neglecting fire safety measures, poor electrical safety, and failing to protect employees under workplace electricity regulations.
- Clarke was fined £1,800, plus £450 victim surcharge and £1,500 court costs.
- Scott received a £1,200 fine, the same surcharge, and court costs.
- Total penalties: £6,900.
Council Issues Stark Warning to Local Businesses
“This conviction sends a clear message that we will not tolerate businesses that neglect the safety of their employees and customers. Ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations is paramount, and we will take decisive action against those who fail in this duty. The safety of our residents is our top priority, and we will continue to enforce the law to protect them.”
– Councillor Natasha Ennin, Southwark Cabinet Member for Community Safety
Spice N Nice remains under council scrutiny and must now meet all safety regulations or face further penalties.
Concerned about safety at a local business? Report it to Southwark Council’s environmental health team online.
