THE OWNER of a Stalybridge nightclub has been ordered to pay £3840 after failing to dispose of business waste correctly.
Tameside Magistrates’ Court heard that Ian Whittaker, owner of Decades Heaven and Hell on Market Street, was served a statutory notice by Tameside Council on 27 February 2024 requiring him to provide waste transfer notes, receipts or evidence of a commercial waste contract.
The notice was issued after the council’s waste services reported that the nightclub’s waste contract had been suspended due to non-payment. The waste enforcement team then carried out further checks and found waste belonging to the business dumped on Market Street.
A Fixed Penalty Notice was issued to Mr Whittaker on 4 April 2024. It remained unpaid despite several reminder letters, so the council brought the case to court.
The case was first listed for March 2025, but after an adjournment a trial was set for 3 December 2025 following a not guilty plea. Mr Whittaker did not attend and magistrates agreed to hear the case in his absence.
A waste enforcement officer gave evidence and magistrates found the offence proven. Mr Whittaker was fined £1100 and given a £440 victim surcharge. He must also pay £2000 compensation to the council and £300 in costs.
Tameside Council Executive Member for Environmental Services and Neighbourhoods Cllr Laura Boyle said:
“This result recognises the seriousness of the offence and its impact on the local community in Stalybridge. Businesses are legally required to manage their waste properly and have a commercial waste contract. It is not fair for residents to bear the cost of commercial waste being dumped in the street. We will take enforcement action wherever we have clear evidence.”