Pair handed suspended prison terms for serious breaches of fire safety regulations at Burnley nightclub

Two people have been given suspended prison sentences after admitting serious breaches of fire safety regulations at a nightclub in Burnley.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) successfully prosecuted Rebecca McQuoid, the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) of Proj3kt Nightclub on Hammerton Street, Burnley, who pleaded guilty to 23 offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Jason McQuoid pleaded guilty to three offences under the same legislation.

The prosecution followed a prolonged period during which Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service worked with the operators to address significant fire safety concerns at the venue. Over a two-year period, fire safety officers provided advice and issued enforcement notices, which were not complied with.

On 17 October 2025, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service inspectors carried out an audit of the premises and identified serious fire safety deficiencies. As a result, a prohibition notice was issued to prevent the use of the nightclub until the risks had been addressed.

However, within four hours of the notice being served, the venue was deliberately reopened in breach of the prohibition notice. Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and Lancashire Police attended the premises in the early hours of 18 October 2025 and evacuated staff and patrons from the nightclub.

A further breach of the prohibition notice occurred later the same evening.

The offences admitted by Rebecca McQuoid included failures to:

Ensure the safety of employees and nightclub patrons.

Complete a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment.

Comply with an enforcement notice.

Provide adequate fire safety management.

Co-operate and co-ordinate with other responsible persons.

Install and maintain appropriate fire detection and alarm systems.

Ensure occupants could evacuate quickly and safely in an emergency.

Provide adequate emergency lighting.

Ensure emergency exits could be easily and immediately opened.

Display suitable escape route signage.

Provide appropriate fire safety training for staff.

Maintain effective emergency evacuation procedures.

Comply with a prohibition notice on two separate occasions.

Maintain fire safety equipment and systems.

Jason McQuoid pleaded guilty to failing to co-operate and co-ordinate with the Designated Premises Supervisor and to breaching the prohibition notice on two separate occasions.

Rebecca McQuoid entered guilty pleas at Lancaster Magistrates' Court on 26 March 2026. Jason McQuoid pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court on 26 June 2026.

Both were sentenced at Preston Crown Court earlier this week.

Rebecca McQuoid received a 10-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months and was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work. Jason McQuoid received a nine-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months and was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.

The pair were additionally ordered to pay a combined total of £11,000 towards Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service's costs.

Ian Armistead, Group Manager for Protection at Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Rebecca and Jason McQuoid, as the responsible persons for these premises, had a legal obligation to ensure that those using the venue were provided with a safe environment.

"We hope this prosecution reinforces the importance of maintaining nightclubs and other venues where people may be under the influence of alcohol in accordance with fire safety legislation and the standards required by law.

"We have sadly seen the impact of recent nightclub fires across Europe, which have resulted in multiple fatalities and had devastating effects on families and the wider communities affected.

‘’Fire safety requirements exist to protect lives, and we will not hesitate to take enforcement action where people are placed at risk."