Britannia Hotels in court after woman's wardrobe death

The owners of one of Liverpool's most famous hotels are accused of breaking health and safety laws after a guest was killed by a falling wardrobe, a court has heard.

Chloe Haynes , 21, was found dead in her room at The Britannia Adelphi Hotel in September 2022 after she was trapped under the heavy furnishing.

Britannia Hotels, under the names of two limited companies, faced 20 charges of failing to ensure the safety of employees or guests at Liverpool Magistrates Court.

District Judge Paul Healey sent the case to be tried at Liverpool Crown Court with an initial hearing set for 4 June.

The case, brought by Liverpool City Council's environmental health department, relates to the incident involving Haynes, to another incident last summer when a three-year-old girl was injured by a falling cabinet, and to allegedly unstable wardrobes in other rooms.

It is also alleged that the companies failed to ensure that windows in some rooms did not open too widely.

Keith Morton KC, representing Britannia Hotels, said at this stage the companies would not give any indication of how they would plead.

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