A pub located in the village of High Halstow, Kent, is under scrutiny as its fire safety compliance comes into question. The Red Dog pub may see its license reviewed by Medway Council following alarming findings by the Kent Fire & Rescue Service. An audit conducted in October revealed significant fire safety deficiencies, including the absence of appropriate safety assessments and a substandard fire warning and detection system.
In December, the fire service issued an enforcement notice requesting that the pub management rectify these issues. However, when fire officers returned on January 28—just a day before the notice was set to expire—they found that the responsible individual for fire safety had not received the notice and was unprepared for the visit. After this, the fire service attempted to arrange a follow-up meeting to discuss extending the deadline for compliance due to claimed ill-health within the management. Despite their efforts, including an emailed proposal outlining ways to address the findings, pub management failed to respond or agree to a meeting.
As a result of these ongoing safety concerns and management's lack of cooperation, Kent Fire & Rescue Service has formally requested Medway Council to initiate a review of the pub's license. The potential outcomes range from warnings and modifications to the existing license, to a temporary suspension or even complete revocation if the issues remain unresolved. A hearing date for this review is yet to be confirmed.
For community members and patrons of The Red Dog, this situation underlines critical concerns about public safety and accountability in the hospitality sector. The pub management’s failure to adhere to safety regulations could have far-reaching consequences not just for their business, but for the safety of all who visit.
