Managers of a chinese restaurant near Preston’s university have been fined for health and safety breaches.

New Element, in Corporation Street, were caught with unsafe equipment, unsafely trying to put up signs and a failure to have a health and safety policy.

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Preston City Council began investigating the restaurant, which trades as New Element, in February last year after a report of a serious drunk and disorderly incident at the premises.

During a visit to the restaurant a health and safety inspector found they had no policy for health and safety and also found a meat slicer was being used with no guard.

Three improvement notices were served on the restaurant owners, including company director Mr He.

In July last year two men were witnessed working unsafely on the roof of a van putting up a sign above the premises’ entrance – including the director of the company.

Prosecuting for the council Mr Carrera said there had been a ‘flagrant disregard for the law’ putting the public and employees ‘at risk of harm’.

New Element’s management pleaded guilty to all three health and safety offences.

District Judge Chalk fined them £7,000 for failing to guard the meat slicer, £7,000 for failing to protect people working at height and £1,000 for having no health and safety policy.

The city council was awarded the full costs of £1,548 and the company was made to pay a victim surcharge of £170.

Read more: Korean BBQ restaurant comes to Preston

What the council say

Cabinet member for planning and regulation councillor Peter Moss said: “The Magistrate in this case echoed the council’s view that these were serious offences committed with blatant disregard for health and safety legislation.

“We have a duty to ensure all businesses comply with relevant policies and legislation for health and safety. This successful prosecution sends the message that neglecting these essential areas of running a business will not be tolerated in Preston.”