A cinema company has been slapped with a fine in court after failing to clear asbestos from one of its screens.

Managers were aware of the issue in screen one at the Carlton Cinema in Westgate-on-Sea but failed to take action for another two months, a council investigation found.

Thanet District Council (TDC) took Picturedrome Electric Theatre Company - which operates the cinema - to court saying they had placed the public and staff at risk.

The company pleaded guilty to two charges of failing to carry out its general health and safety welfare duties to employees in April.

The firm was fined £1,600 and ordered to pay more than £13,000 in costs and a victim surcharge of £80 on July 9 in a sentencing hearing at Canterbury Magistrates' Court.

The council's public protection team intervened last February and carried out a health and safety investigation.

They discovered bosses at the cinema knew there were damaged materials containing asbestos inside the main auditorium in December 2017.

But no action was taken until February after TDC inspectors stepped in.

The screen was closed for almost three months between February 16 and May 3 while clearance work took place to remove the asbestos by a licensed specialist contractor.

Cllr Lesley Ann Game, cabinet member for housing and safer neighbourhoods at TDC, said: "As a council, the protection and safety of the public is paramount.

"We will always work with businesses to help them improve and maintain standards but, as this case demonstrates, will not hesitate to take legal action against those who have put people at risk.

"The council’s public protection team work hard on a daily basis to ensure that owners of non-domestic premises fulfil their responsibilities to assess and manage health and safety risks, including protection from the presence of asbestos.

"This successful prosecution is testament to their hard work and it’s clear that they protected both staff and cinema-users from potentially harmful asbestos fibres.”

Companies owning or operating non-domestic premises responsible for maintenance and repairs are required by law to assess and manage asbestos risks under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

The cinema is housed in the former Westgate town hall, which was built in 1910.

Adam Cunard, director at Picturedrome, said: "Picturedrome Cinemas are committed to uphold all obligations pertaining to health and safety.

"Asbestos was discovered within the fabric of the leased premises at Westgate on Sea, and consequently was removed by Picturedrome.

"We acted in a timely manner and in co-operation with Thanet council.

"Our significant investment and refurbishment programme is ongoing and we continue to offer a quality traditional cinema experience to our customers at affordable prices."

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