Northampton shop fined over £2,000 for improper waste storage
Town centre business prosecuted for repeated breaches of environmental policy
A Northampton town centre business has been fined more than £2,200 after repeatedly failing to store its commercial waste correctly despite warnings from the council.
Beauty Cosmetics (Northampton) Limited, which trades as Beauty Queens Hair & Cosmetics on Abington Street, was successfully prosecuted by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) after breaching waste management rules designed to keep the town centre clean and safe.
The company was found guilty in its absence at Northampton Magistrates' Court on 28th July of failing to comply with a legal notice relating to the storage of commercial waste.
The court imposed a £1,000 fine, a £400 victim surcharge and ordered the business to pay £823.59 in prosecution costs.
According to WNC, businesses in Northampton town centre are required to keep waste containers off public land and only put them out during designated collection times under the town centre environmental policy.
Council officers said the business repeatedly stored a commercial waste eurobin on public land in Dychurch Lane despite receiving advice and guidance on several occasions.
After informal efforts failed to resolve the issue, the council served a notice under Section 47 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, requiring the business to make suitable arrangements for storing and collecting its waste.
The company subsequently received a Fixed Penalty Notice, which was paid, but council inspections found the bin remained on public land. A second Fixed Penalty Notice was later issued but ignored, prompting legal action.
WNC said further inspections confirmed continued non-compliance, leading to the prosecution.
Councillor Andrew Last, Cabinet Member for HR, Corporate and Regulatory Services, said improperly stored waste can have a wider impact on the town centre.
"All businesses have a duty to store their commercial waste properly in line with the requirements of the Town Centre Policy," he said.
"Waste that is not stored correctly attracts vermin, causes litter and encourages fly-tipping, which gives a negative impression of our town centre and can deter visitors."
He added: "This case sends a strong message to local businesses who may be tempted not to store their waste correctly.
"Our enforcement officers regularly patrol our town centres and breaches could result in a costly fine or formal enforcement action."