COLCHESTER Council's public safety boss has warned businesses they must have the correct procedures in place to protect employees following the successful conviction of a pub landlord.

Magistrates ordered Colin Smith, the former landlord of The Bull pub to pay £6,702.74 in costs and a fine for failing to comply with an improvement notice issued under health and safety rules relating to noise at work.

READ MORE: Former landlord of The Bull breached health and safety rules

Following his conviction, Mike Lilley, councillor responsible for wellbeing and public safety, said Colchester Council would not hesitate to take similar action when its advice was ignored.

He said: "Excessive noise at work can cause permanent, severe hearing loss and tinnitus, prevent people hearing warnings, and increases stress.

"We expect businesses to take all aspects of health and safety seriously and to keep appropriate records.

“This case could have been avoided if the venue had engaged with officers and met their duties as an employer. We always take action when an improvement notice is not complied with.”