Owners of Blackpool hotel fined £120,000 for failings after boy, 10, was fatally electrocuted in lobby on seaside holiday

Published: 12:59, 30 June 2026 | Updated: 13:02, 30 June 2026 The owners of a Blackpool hotel where a 10-year-old boy was fatally electrocuted as he stood in the lobby has been fined a six-figure sum.  Jack Piper-Sheach, from Grimsby, Lincolnshire, was on a family holiday at the seaside Tiffany's Hotel on the evening of September 3, 2023, when he suffered an electric shock. The schoolboy was taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool but sadly died four days later with his family by his bedside.  Jack was on holiday with his mother Kelly, aunt Katie and her boyfriend, as well as his grandmother at the time of the late night incident.  The cause of the child's death was confirmed as a hypoxic brain injury due to a prolonged cardiac arrest due to electrocution injury, an inquest in 2024 heard.  Blackpool Council successfully brought charges against Y7 Hotels Ltd, owner of the Tiffany's Hotel, for health and safety offences - landing the company with a £120,000 fine. Neither charge relates to Jack's death.  This followed investigations launched in 2023 by Lancashire Police and the council, which found no criminal case to answer. However, inspectors found that despite the company undertaking legally required electrical inspections, essential work to fix dangerous electrical installations was not completed by a competent, qualified electrician.  Jack Piper-Sheach (left), from Grimbsy, tragically died in hospital with his family at his bedside from injuries sustained at the Tiffany's Hotel on the famed promenade The Tiffany's Hotel on the Blackpool Promenade, where Jack suffered serious injuries consistent with him having received a high voltage of electricity Additionally, no works were documented or certified by the hotel located on Brighton's North Promenade. This came after the discovery of an electrical installation report from 2020 that raised concerns over threats posed to guests and employees of the hotel.  Despite attempts by the hotel to fix the urgent dangers, no documents or certificates could be produced to log when, or by whom, the works were completed.  There was also no evidence of whether the immediate works had been carried out by a competent, qualified electrician.  Due to the findings, the hotel voluntarily closed for several weeks. Further investigations by the Health and Safety Executive found separate dangerous areas in the hotel, putting employees and guests at fatal risk.  It also found the electrical installation was not maintained to a satisfactory condition.   The hotel was re-opened after a follow-up inspection ensured the building was safe. Katie Sheach, aunt to Jack, set up a fundraiser on GoFundMe after Jack died in 2023 Blackpool Council later brought charges against Y7 Hotels Ltd for offences under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.  Representatives of the business pleaded guilty to two offences at Preston Crown Court on April 15, in relation to the Tiffany's Hotel.  At a sentencing hearing on Friday, Y7 Hotels Ltd was fined £120,000 and ordered to pay £24,000 in costs to Blackpool Council.  In a GoFundMe set up after Jack's death, his aunt Katie described her nephew as the 'life and soul' of their family.  '[He was] always laughing and giggling and putting a smile on our faces, he especially loved going to the seaside and having an ice cream, specifically; double cone vanilla ice cream with sprinkles blueberry sauce and a flake,' she added.  'He didn't deserve to be taken so suddenly from us.' Councillor Dave Flanagan, Blackpool Council cabinet member for housing, empty properties and public protection, said: 'We commenced an investigation into the Tiffany's Hotel following the tragic death of a young boy from injuries sustained in the hotel lobby. 'This is a tragic case and throughout our investigation our thoughts have always been, and continue to be with, the family, friends and loved ones of Jack Piper-Sheach.' 'This case should serve as a wake-up call for all hoteliers and business owners - not just in Blackpool,' he added.  'They have a duty of care to ensure their electrical installation is regularly reviewed and all remedial works are completed properly and swiftly by competent, qualified electricians, and documented or certified appropriately.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. 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