A JUDGE today fined a supermarket giant more than £200,000 over fire safety standards at a Southampton shop.
The Co-op admitted six breaches in relation to their premises in Shirley Road, following an inspection in September 2007.
The brigade had investigated a failed arson attack on cardboard at the rear of the shop and decided to make a follow up visit when they were immediately concerned at finding the rear door leading into the yard padlocked.
Other failures included staff not knowing numbers of a coded security lock and a fire alarm call point being blocked by two ladders and a fridge.
The firm admitted six breaches of a fire safety act and were fined £35,000 on each charge. They were also ordered to pay costs totalling more than £28,000.
Judge Andrew Barnett denounced the premises as a potential fire trap.
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