Leisure firm fined over asbestos

A Great Yarmouth leisure company has been fined £90,000 for an asbestos offence after a court heard it "chose profit over safety".

Towering Leisure, which runs Atlantis Arena, previously the Tower Ballroom, was fined at Norwich Crown Court.

The firm had admitted failing to protect its 57 employees and thousands of nightclubbers and children at risk of asbestos contamination.

It was prosecuted under health and safety legislation.

The firm's directors Rodney Scott, 66, and Colin Abbot, 43, appeared in court to represent the company.

'Substantial risk'

Matthew McNiff, prosecuting, said the firm had been given a report on asbestos risks in October 2004, so directors knew about concerns.

"But they chose profit over safety," he said.

The premises were closed in November 2005 when health and safety officers moved in.

Robert Barley, defending, said the company had spent £300,000 on removing asbestos.

Fining them, Recorder Guy Ayers told the directors: "It is quite clear you already had some experience dealing with asbestos.

"There must be substantial risk to the health of employees and this was a case of dealing with profit over safety and the degree of risk was substantial."