A beauty business has been prosecuted after repeatedly flouting rules about commercial waste disposal.

Beauty Cosmetics (Northampton) Ltd, on Abington Street, Northampton, operating as Beauty Queens Hair & Cosmetics, was taken to court by West Northamptonshire Council.

The company repeatedly breached the Northampton Town Centre Environmental Policy requiring businesses to store waste containers off public land and only present them for collection during designated collection periods.

It was found guilty at Northampton Magistrates' Court on 28 July of failing to comply with a legal notice relating to the storage of commercial waste and was fined more than £2,200.

The council said the company had received "informal advice and guidance from WNC officers on a number of occasions" but "continued to store a commercial waste eurobin on public land in Dychurch Lane".

A notice was served under Section 47 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, requiring the business to make suitable arrangements for the storage and collection of its waste.

When the business failed to comply, a fixed penalty notice was issued, which the business paid, but continued to breach the notice by not removing the bin.

A second fixed penalty notice was issued, which the council said was ignored.

The company's actions demonstrated "ongoing non-compliance", the council said.

Andrew Last, Reform UK cabinet member for regulatory services, said: "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."

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HM Courts and Tribunals Service