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Arnold boss disqualified after falsely claiming £50,000 from Bounce Back loan scheme during pandemic  

Lucia Botfield
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Arnold boss disqualified after falsely claiming £50,000 from Bounce Back loan scheme during pandemic  

The director of a timber supply business misused the Bounce Back Loans scheme during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Lee Mankelow, 42, of Arnold, deceptively claimed £50,000 allegedly to support his timber supply business, and then paid it to a former director of the company.   

The government scheme helped businesses that were facing hardship during Covid-19 to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000 at a guaranteed low interest rate.  

Mankelow was the director of timber product traders Wolf Timber Ltd. The company liquidated its profit in December 2020, before their insolvency led to an investigation by the Insolvency Service.  

The investigation concluded that Mankelow’s company applied for the Bounce Back Loan after the company saw an increase in online business during the Covid lockdowns in June 2020. Mankelow then transferred the full £50,000 that was intended to support the business to a former director of the company.  

The investigation into the timber establishment further concluded that the loan was not used to pay the wages, bonuses, dividends, and expenses of the former director, as Mankelow had claimed.  

Mankelow was then disqualified from his position as director and is now prevented from directly or indirectly being involved in the promotion, formation, or management of a company, without the permission of the court. 

Tom Phillips, Assistant Director of Investigation and Enforcement Services for the Insolvency Service, said: “Bounce Back Loans were put in place to provide vital support to help viable businesses through the pandemic.  

“Mankelow completely abused the government-backed loans to further his own interests, which was totally unacceptable.  

“Mankelow’s ban should serve as a stark warning to other directors who may have misused financial support during the pandemic that we have the ability to bring your actions to account and remove you from the corporate arena.”  

McColls stores on Carlton Hill and in Calverton to close

Gedling Eye
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McColls stores on Carlton Hill and in Calverton to close

Morrisons is set to close 132 McColl’s stores around the UK, with around 1,300 jobs at risk. The supermarket confirmed it would take over the convenience store earlier this year, after the company fell into administration.

McColl’s was bought out by the chain in a £190 million deal, but Morrisons has now announced plans to close more than 100 ‘loss making’ stores in an aim to ‘regenerate the business’.

Stores will be closing up and down the country – including two in Gedling borough.

The shops at St Wilfreds Square in Calverton and on Carlton Hill have been earmarked for closure.

The supermarket group said 55 of the 132 stores selected for closure include Post Office counters, like on Carlton Hill, and will shut next year, following the busy Christmas period.

Once the McColl’s store closes, the nearest Post Office branches for residents living on Carlton Hill will be in Porchester Road, in Mapperley, and Oakdale Road, in Bakersfield.

Arnold Christmas lights switch on – details announced

Gedling Eye
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Arnold Christmas lights switch on – details announced

Christmas is coming to Arnold this November as the date has been set for the light switch on in the town centre.

Gedling Borough Council has confirmed that a Christmas Light Switch On event will take place on Friday, November 18 from 4.30pm, outside the council’s new AMP building at the former Arnold Market site.

The event will feature performances from local schools including Richard Bonington Primary School, Redhill Academy, Arnold View Primary and Pinewood Infant School as well as local choirs, Nottingham Boys Choir and the Invisible Friends before the lights are switched on by The Mayor of Gedling, Councillor Peter Barnes at 6pm.

An indoor craft fair will be open next to the event, at Arnold Methodist Church, with stalls selling items such as cards, festive food and gifts, and there will also be a special visit from Santa at the event. 

Christmas Markets will also be taking place outside The AMP in Arnold during the run up to Christmas. Markets will be open on 26 November as well as 3, 10 and 17 of December from 10am-2pm and are being organised by Rural Retailer. 

Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke MBE said: “It’s always a pleasure to be able to announce details of these events which we know are welcomed and supported by so many of our residents and local business. 

It’s a perfect opportunity for people to start getting into the Christmas spirit and bring the community together to celebrate.

“This year, we have a new venue for the event right outside the recently completed AMP building in a dedicated community event space. This will be the first of many events for the new space and I look forward to joining our residents on what is always a fantastic night.”

For all the details about the Christmas events go to www.gedling.gov.uk/christmas

Traders interested in booking a pitch for any of the market events can find out more by emailing opheliasvillagemarket@gmail.com

Councillor calls for ‘moderate language’ on asylum seekers as Gedling Borough Council discusses modern slavery

Andrew Topping (Local Democracy Reporter)
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Councillor calls for ‘moderate language’ on asylum seekers as Gedling Borough Council discusses modern slavery

A Gedling borough councillor has called for “moderate language” to be used when discussing refugees and asylum seekers amid concerns some are often the victim of modern slavery.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman this week described thousands of people arriving on Britain’s shores from across the Channel as an “invasion” as the country struggles to process countless new asylum seekers.

Disruption and concerns for the safety of detainees in two Kent migrant processing centres have also sparked fears over a system described by Ms Braverman in the House of Commons as “broken”.

But calls have been made locally for language on the issue to be loosened and for national politicians to stop “saying the wrong things”.

It came as Gedling Borough Council outlined its support for victims of modern slavery during a cabinet meeting on Thursday (November 3).

Modern slavery describes when someone is abused or forced to work against their will for financial gain. It can involve vulnerable people or migrants being trafficked or exploited to fund and fuel illegal activities.

Councillor David Ellis (Lab) is the authority’s portfolio holder for local pride, community engagement and supporting the vulnerable.

He told the meeting: “There are examples where we have been involved in disrupting modern slavery locally and I think that’s a good thing to show.

“But I would say some politicians nationally are saying the wrong things, with some deliberately conflating immigration, refugees and human trafficking.

“All the stuff about having a hostile environment makes it harder for people who have been trafficked, for modern slaves, to seek help.

“It’s important for everybody to moderate their language on this and take the issue seriously.”

The meeting heard how the Labour-run authority has been cooperating with the Modern Slavery Act 2015, which gives councils the duty to identify and refer potential victims through national systems.

The council has also helped in supporting victims, offered community safety services, “disrupted activities where we can”, and ensured any organisations it engages with are free from modern slavery activities.

Mike Hill, the council’s chief executive, told the meeting: “Gedling Borough Council has previously been quite proactive in modern slavery activities, we chair the Nottinghamshire Modern Slavery Partnership.

“We have an approved modern slavery policy dating back to June 2018 and I’m working to update that at the current time.”

Policies include supporting people to live a life “free from abuse, servitude and inhumane treatment” as well as promoting “ethical business” in all the authority’s operations.

Cllr John Clarke (Lab), the council’s leader, added: “This has moved incredibly to get a position where we have modern slavery policies.

“It’s a term that’s used a lot, unfortunately, and there’s a horrendous impact on people. It goes on, sex trafficking and all sorts of other activities – it’s about making people aware and I’m glad this council is paying some attention to it.”

The discussions came after the Home Secretary told MPs more than a third of the asylum seekers arriving in Britain are Albanian nationals.

Figures last week showed 12,000 Albanians have arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel so far this year, compared to 50 in 2020.

But Ms Braverman suggested many of these could be connected to illegal gangs and that some could be part of illicit human trafficking operations using people as modern slaves.

She added the influx of people crossing the Channel is putting “unprecedented pressure” on the UK asylum system and is costing the Home Office millions of pounds a day in housing migrants in hotels.

Labour has urged the Government to “get a grip” on the situation while Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama accused the Home Secretary of treating his citizens as scapegoats.

Nottinghamshire Conservative MPs including Lee Anderson and Ben Bradley have spoken in support of Ms Braverman as she looks to tackle the ongoing migrant crisis.

Drainage improvement works ordered by council at Burton Joyce housing developments after village was hit by ‘sea of mud’ during recent floods

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Drainage improvement works ordered by council at Burton Joyce housing developments after village was hit by ‘sea of mud’ during recent floods

Housing developers will now be forced to take action to improve drainage at their sites after a village was hit by severe flooding.

Residents described seeing a ‘sea of mud’ wash through the village of Burton Joyce during recent heavy rainfall, with poor drainage at new housing development sites at Orchard Close and Glebe Farm being blamed for the incident.

Following complaints from villagers, Councillors Sam Smith and Mike Adams, who represent Trent Valley, called on planning inspectors from Gedling Borough Council to call a halt to development until drainage was improved.

PICTURED: Recent flooding in Burton Joyce

Planning officers from Gedling Borough Council have now carried out inspections at both sites and action has been taken.

A 14-day notice has been issued to the Orchard Close developer, telling them to immediately take measures to ensure surface water is appropriately managed during the construction phase of the development by installing a temporary drainage system and seeking the submission of permanent drainage plans.

A stop notice could be issued in 14 days if interim drainage isn’t installed and drainage plans submitted.

Additional flood mitigation measures have now been implemented on the Glebe Farm site, including the creation of a ditch and gully inlet

The Trent Valley Councillors have issued a statement that they shared with Gedling Eye

It said: “During the recent heavy rainfall, a ‘sea of mud’ washed through Burton Joyce caused by runoff from the housing development sites on Orchard Close and Glebe Farm.

“After assisting residents and businesses with the clean-up and arranging for the Council’s road sweeper to sweep through the village, we contacted Gedling Borough Council’s CEO and Head of Planning to requesting a halt to the house building sites until adequate drainage is installed to help prevent future flooding.

“As a result, we can now confirm that site visits have been carried out by the Planning Department this week which confirmed that land excavation works associations with the developments clearly resulted in the flooding.

“Action not words! Fingers crossed these actions reduce the risk of future flooding across Burton Joyce.

“We would like to express our thanks to the Officers of Gedling Borough Council for swift action. Thanks also to the residents and businesses who have been impacted by the flooding for working with us towards mitigation action and thanks to the road sweeping teams.

“We will continue to monitor this and will continue to do all we can to protect our green spaces, which absorb water to help mitigate the risk of flooding, from yet more housing.”

Gedling Borough Council have also confirmed that action had now been taken.

A spokesman said: “On Thursday, large parts of the borough and the county saw extremely high levels of rainfall, causing flooding across several areas. We provided support for households who were in imminent danger of flooding, providing sandbags to several homes.

“Our road sweepers have been out to the affected areas to help clear up the debris caused by the rainfall. 

“The development is at an early pre-construction stage and it’s clear that the appropriate drainage to prevent the mud falling down the hills was not in place and we have requested they urgently fix this or face enforcement action that could include shutting the site down.”

Pumpkin dumping is a scary threat to wildlife this Hallowe’en says Woodland Trust

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Pumpkin dumping is a scary threat to wildlife this Hallowe’en says Woodland Trust

The Woodland Trust has issued an urgent plea to people in Gedling borough not to endanger wildlife by dumping pumpkins in woods.

The UK’s largest woodland conservation charity has spotted a worrying trend in recent years for Hallowe’en pumpkins to be taken to the nearest wood and left, in a well-meaning but misguided attempt, to provide food for birds and woodland creatures.

The Trust manages woodland in Lambley and Calverton.

“A myth seems to have built up that leaving pumpkins in woods helps wildlife. People think they’re doing a good thing by not binning them in landfill and instead leaving them for nature,” said Paul Bunton, Engagement and Communication Officer at Woodland Trust.

“But pumpkin flesh can be dangerous for hedgehogs, attracts colonies of rats and also has a really detrimental effect on woodland soils, plants and fungi. We can’t leave dumped pumpkins to rot so we end up with an orange mushy mess to deal with at many of our sites.”

Trevor Weeks from East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service echoed the Trust’s concern over the risk to hedgehogs because, like other wildlife “they are opportunistic eaters and they spend autumn and early winter building up their fat reserves for hibernation”.

“As a result, hedgehogs can gorge themselves on easily available food like dumped pumpkins,” Weeks added. “Although not toxic to them the fleshy fibrous fruit can cause stomach upsets and diarrhoea as they are not designed to eat large quantities of fruit.

“This can lead to them becoming bloated and dangerously dehydrated which in turn can be fatal. At this time of year, they can’t afford to become ill, or they may not survive the winter hibernation.”

According to the Trust, the pumpkin problem seems to be starting earlier and earlier, with supermarkets flooded with cheap pumpkins for sale and pumpkin-picking growing in popularity as a family activity in the run-up to Halloween.

Paul added: “Thousands of tonnes of pumpkin gets thrown away in the UK after Halloween each year, so it would be great if we could all put that to better use.”

He added: “Jack-o-lanterns can be good for wildlife in small quantities in gardens, but not woodland or other countryside. We are urging people everywhere to make soup, make a birdfeeder for your garden, but please don’t make a mess of the countryside!”

Almost half a million pounds recovered from fare dodgers by East Midlands Railway

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Almost half a million pounds recovered from fare dodgers by East Midlands Railway

East Midlands Railway’s revenue protection officers and onboard staff have given out a massive 9,642 notices and seen the successful prosecution of 1,470 fare dodgers in court.

The firm said they have recovered nearly half a million pounds from fining or taking to court fraudulent travellers in the past ten months (January 1 to October 13) – helping reduce costs for taxpayers. 

EMR said the fines and prosecutions were made for a number of reasons, including travelling without a valid ticket, fraudulently travelling on a child’s ticket, and travelling beyond the destination of their ticket. 

People were only pursued through the courts after they travelled without a ticket and refused to pay for their journey and the corresponding fine. 

Neil Grabham, customer services director at East Midlands Railway, said: “The vast majority of our customers always buy a ticket, and they understand that for the railway to successfully operate, improve, and secure investment, fares need to be paid for. 

“Sadly though, there are a minority of determined people who always look to evade paying or look for ways to work the system.

“We have recently added to our revenue protection teams and created a totally new fraud team, all of whom will be doing everything they can to reduce ticketless travel and hold persistent offenders to account.’’

More information concerning East Midlands Railway’s fare policies can be found on its website here: https://www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk/help-manage/about-us/policies/penalty-fares 

Millions needed to balance council books as inflation bites

Andrew Topping (Local Democracy Reporter)
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Millions needed to balance council books as inflation bites

Surging inflation, rising gas and electricity costs and increasing staff pay means councils in Nottinghamshire need tens of millions of pounds to balance their books next year.

Council tax increases, the use of reserves and potential cuts or changes to services are on the horizon for some authorities as they try to claw back cash.

The current 10.1 per cent inflation rate is causing budgets to soar above levels previously forecast in February and March this year – when financial papers were first approved.

Some district and borough authorities need to find gaps exceeding £2m, while the two larger councils face shortfalls in the tens of millions.

The has caused concerns among some authorities that services will need to be reduced or removed altogether if councils are to even out their balance sheets in 2023/24.

Budgets for gas and electricity bills are increasing by hundreds of thousands of pounds as councils join households in facing the cost of living crisis.

Nottinghamshire County Council is also expecting a council tax rise and the need to find savings as it faces a £24m black hole in 2023.

Over the next three years, the Conservative-led authority expects a funding gap of at least £59m – slightly more than 10 per cent of a single-year budget.

In Nottingham, the cash-strapped Labour-run city council does not yet know the overall situation for next year, but revealed inflation will add about £15m to its financial planning in 2023/24.

It comes amid wider concerns for its overall financial position as the authority remains under monitoring by a Government-appointed Improvement and Assurance Board.

The council is trying to put forward a four-year balanced budget to fend off potential further intervention but rising inflation is now the “biggest challenge” in ensuring commissioners are not sent in.

Councillor Adele Williams (Lab), portfolio holder for finance, warned the council faces “impossible choices” when balancing the books while a spokesperson says the authority will leave “no stone unturned”.

Other councils are also facing gaps from April, fuelled by the ongoing cash crisis.

Labour-led Broxtowe Borough Council faces a £2.2m shortfall in 2023/24 and has identified potential measures totalling about £675,000 to bridge the gap.

This includes a growth in business rates, a council tax increase, inflationary rises in fees and charges and “staffing efficiencies”.

The remaining gap, the council says, will be met from reserves.

It has called for the Government to issue a financial settlement reflecting inflationary rises and to outline the threshold councils will be allowed to rise council tax by in 2023/24.

A spokesperson said: “The council would welcome a financial settlement that properly reflects the current inflation pressures on pay awards and energy prices to help mitigate the impact of the cost of living crisis.

“The Government could also consider lifting the referendum limits on council tax setting.”

In the previous financial year, district and borough councils could raise bills by either £5 on a Band D property or 1.99 per cent – whichever was higher – without holding a referendum.

The threshold has not been confirmed for next year but could be outlined in Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s autumn statement on November 17.

However, councils may not find longer-term answers in this statement after Mr Hunt warned of “difficult decisions” and possible public spending cuts to bridge Whitehall gaps.

Councils are currently budgeting on the basis of Government grant support remaining the same in the coming financial year as it was in 2022/23.

At the time, this was put forward as a two-year settlement to give councils medium-term clarity about their financial positions.

But this only reflected a 3.3 per cent inflationary rate and did not take into account the current 40-year high.

Bassetlaw District Council, which faces a £1.36m gap spread across its general fund and housing account, has called on Whitehall to address this in next month’s statement.

A spokesperson said: “Government should recognise the 3.3 per cent inflation provided in last year’s settlement is not enough.

“It should uplift to current inflation in a multi-year settlement to provide councils with the ability to plan in the medium term.”

The Labour-run authority plans a council tax rise, increased income from business rates, a review of services and “possibly reducing or discontinuing discretionary services” to balance its books.

Neighbouring Tory-led Newark and Sherwood District Council, which needs to find £3.6m in 2023/24, says it plans to find cash through “dividends, savings and increased income”.

The budget gap is slightly lower in Ashfield, where the Independent-run council says it is facing a £3m shortfall fuelled by the energy and inflation crisis.

Cllr Jason Zadrozny (Ash Ind), the authority’s leader, previously said “easy options” to make quick savings were made during the period of austerity and warned service reductions could be needed without Whitehall’s help.

Labour-led Gedling and Tory-run Rushcliffe did not confirm how much they need to find and said they are waiting for the Chancellor’s announcement.

The wider budgeting issues come as councils also manage rising staff wages amid an expected local government pay award of £1,925 per employee.

The national rise, put forward to help staff cope with the cost of living crisis, is costing Nottinghamshire councils millions in total for extra wage costs.

It has already added £6.9m onto the current-year budget at Nottingham City Council, with an added £1m predicted at Ashfield District Council.

There is a further £875,000 needed in Broxtowe, £700,000 in Newark and Sherwood, £617,000 in Bassetlaw and £532,000 in Gedling.

Mansfield, Nottingham and Rushcliffe did not outline this figure.

All authorities await clarity from the Treasury about what support they will receive from 2023/24.

The Government did not respond to a request for comment about the financial position of Nottinghamshire authorities.

But a Treasury spokesperson previously said: “While driving economic growth and tackling high inflation, we will continue to take a responsible and disciplined approach to spending.

“It’s more important than ever that departments work efficiently to manage within existing budgets, focusing on unlocking growth and delivering high-quality public services.”

11 of Gedling borough’s spookiest stories to give you the chills this Hallowe’en

Gedling Eye Reporter
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11 of Gedling borough’s spookiest stories to give you the chills this Hallowe’en

Every place has its secrets, legends and spooky ghost stories.

Hallowe’en is a time when people grow curious about the paranormal activity in their area, and want to know more about the ghosts who have haunt the familiar places.

See below for some spooky tales surrounding the most haunted places in Gedling borough.

RHM Factory, part of which was Daybrook Railway Station

Back in the late 70s and early 80s workers at the factory often reported seeing a phantom woman in one of the mixing rooms, which was once Daybrook Station. After improvements were made to this part of the plant, ‘Mabel’ as they called her, never returned.

Mapperley Tunnel, southern end

In the 1970s two school children playing in the tunnel heard a steam engine rapidly approaching them – terrified they ran out into the fresh air. A few seconds after their escape they realised that the train could not have existed as the north end of the tunnel was…barricaded!

George’s Hill, Calverton

Since the 1930s, there have been many sightings of a strange ghostly figure dressed in black and wearing a large broad-brimmed hat roaming about on George’s Hill. As well as travelling on foot, this ghostly figure is also keen on hitching a ride with those driving alone on the hill at night. Many drivers have narrowly avoided crashing their vehicle after spotting they’ve picked up an unwanted passenger in the rear view mirror.

Many walkers venturing up the hill after midnight also claim to have been chased away by this menacing figure dressed all in black. Taxi drivers are said to still avoid this route into Calverton after dark, preferring to go into the village via Woodborough instead because of the amount of reported sightings.

Mapperley Hospital, Porchester Road

Since closing down back in 1994, the ghosts of this former asylum have found their voice. Workers on the site have heard their names being called by an unknown voice, and disembodied footsteps also heard. A woman dressed in old fashioned clothing has been observed several times walking down corridors, and a man has been heard to call out “hello”, though he can never be found.

Colwick Hall, Colwick

One of two ghosts are said to visibly manifest in and around the building…

Mrs Chaworth Musters reputedly hides behind trees on the land, concealing herself from the angry mob of Luddites that stormed the hall back in 1832. The second phantom is named as Mary Ann Chaworth, and she quietly haunts the corridors.

Less quietly though are the sounds of footsteps, childrens’ laughter and voices have all been heard from the servants’ quarters by members of staff now working at the hall.

Redhill Cemetery, Arnold

There have been many reports of the ghost of a man waiting outside the cemetery who has been known to catch one of the late night buses that go past there. Many years ago he was said to have boarded a bus, walked past the conductor and taken the stairs to the top deck. When the conductor climbed the stairs after him, the man vanished.

Bonington House, Arnold

Many visitors to the house have often mentioned they had experienced ‘cold spots’ as they moved around the property. A builder working in the cellar was astonished to come back from a break to discover the imprint of a child’s foot in some newly-laid cement. The cellar had remained locked while the builder had been out on his break.

Colwick Woods, Colwick

KILLER: William Saville

The ghosts of two children are said to haunt this wooded area. These young spirits are thought to be the children of William Saville, who murdered them, and also his wife Anne, under a tree in a spinney in Colwick Wood back in 1844. He was hanged for the crime in the same year. The sound of horses has also been reported.

Railway Bridge, Wood Lane, Gedling

A phantom woman is said to peer over the edge of the bridge and watch passers-by. Many believe she is the same woman who has been spotted haunting the site of the former railway station in the village.

Gedling House, Gedling

A small white dog has been spotted on numerous occasions over the years roaming about in the woods around Gedling House. On occasion, the dog is spotted accompanied by an elderly woman dressed in white who has been seen using a walking stick.

Witnesses who have seen her claim she could have been blind during her former life as she has been seen tapping her stick on the ground as she moves slowly around the site.

A nun has also been spotted roaming the woods and disembodied screaming has been heard.

Disused railway sidings, Netherfield

Many residents living near the disused railway sidings at the back of Jackie Bells Playing Fields have reported hearing strange noises at night. One family attempting to capture evidence of vandals damaging nearby property using CCTV were taken by surprise when reviewing footage from the night before. Instead of footage showing criminals being caught in the act, they instead captured noise of muffled voices, mostly European, and music too. When one of the family looked into the local history they discovered Italian prisoners would be escorted up the railway track a nearby World War II POW camp.

Colwick business ordered to pay more than £23,000 after customer suffered ‘significant injuries’ while testing machinery in-store

Andrew Topping (Local Democracy Reporter)
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Colwick business ordered to pay more than £23,000 after customer suffered ‘significant injuries’ while testing machinery in-store

A Colwick business was forced to pay more than £23,200 after a customer suffered “significant injuries” while testing a product in its store.

P S Marsden Lawnmower Services, at Private Road 8 in the Colwick Industrial Estate, was prosecuted by Gedling Borough Council earlier this month after the incident in December last year.

It involved a customer visiting the business for a demonstration of a ‘Predator 360′ stump grinder he was considering buying.

Civic Centre Arnold
PICTURED: The firm were prosecuted by Gedling Borough Council

Council papers state there was “some difficulty” in starting the machine, leading to three members of staff and the customer standing around it.

Once the machine eventually started working, the customer’s trouser leg became sucked into the cutting blade causing “severe lacerations to his left leg below and above the knee”.

The council says it caused significant muscle damage, extensive blood loss and “excruciating pain”, with the customer still feeling “residual issues today”.

It led to the council’s environmental health officers investigating the business and finding a number of breaches of health and safety legislation.

Council officers were “satisfied that there was no safe system of work in place for demonstrating machinery at the premises”.

The authority approved a prosecution case in January this year, which was heard at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on October 10.

Following the case, the business was fined £20,000 for not meeting the requirements of Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act etc. 1974.

This reads: “It shall be the duty of every employer to conduct his undertaking in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons not in his employment who may be affected thereby are not exposed to risks to their health and safety.”

The business was also ordered to pay the council slightly more than £3,200 in prosecution costs.

The case will be discussed by the authority’s environment and licensing committee on Tuesday, November 1.

In a report published ahead of the meeting, the council said: “Environmental health officers investigated and identified a number of breaches of health and safety legislation at the premises, which lead to/contributed to the incident.

READ MORE: Van crashes into front walls of houses on Colwick road

“They were satisfied that there was no safe system of work in place for demonstrating machinery at the premises.”

It added: “Shortly after the incident, the company took the necessary action to rectify breaches identified.

“They also co-operated with the investigation of the offences.”

P S Marsden Lawnmower Services did not respond to a request for comment.

A spokesperson for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) confirmed it has had no involvement in prosecuting or investigating the incident.

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