Independent tile retail giant Al-Murad is embroiled in a protracted legal wrangle over alleged health and safety breaches.
The Leeds-based chain, which has over 70 stores, was taken to court in December by West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service, which brought 20 charges of failing to keep fire exits clear, possessing faulty alarms and keeping fire doors locked at three sites in Morley, Batley and Leeds.

Al-Murad pleaded guilty to all the charges and was fined £128,000. However, that ruling was subsequently retracted because it was found that the magistrates did not have the authority to impose a fine of over £100,000. The company now says it wants to change its plea to not guilty.

Chris Kemp, senior fire protection manager with West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, told diyweek.net that there had been further complications with the original hearing.

"Al-Murad were represented by a lay person who wasn't allowed to represent them, so [the case] had to be reheard," he explained. "They pleaded guilty again but the magistrates felt they couldn't deal with it so referred them to Leeds Crown Court. They were in court last Thursday.

"What's happened is that they're wanting to change their plea from guilty to not guilty, so there's a whole process now going on. They have to put an application in to the judge. If the court accepts their application to withdraw their guilty plea there will be a resulting trial. If they don't then it's back to the Crown Court to issue a sentence for them. As it stands, Al-Murad haven't been found guilty of any offences yet."

In the original trial Ian Sharman, representing Al-Murad, said that the company was "extremely perturbed" by the alleged health and safety breaches and offered a "complete and unreserved apology" for them. He said the retailer had subsequently put in place a series of safety measures and was now carrying out regular risk assessments.

A new hearing is now likely to be in April or May.

Mr Kemp added: "We've got a duty to enforce the fire safety order and make sure people are safe, which is why we take prosecutions. Hopefully, the courts will make the right decision and people will learn from it."

Al-Murad claims to be Britain's largest independent tile and natural stone distributor and retailer, and celebrates 30 years in business this year.