Nightclub boss fined after dumping waste in street

The owner of a Staybridge nightclub has been ordered to pay £3840 for failing to dispose of waste from his business responsibly.

Tameside Magistrates’ Court heard Ian Whittaker, owner of Decades Heaven and Hell, Market Street, was served a statutory notice by Tameside Council on 27 February 2024 requiring him to provide waste transfer notes, receipts and/or evidence of a waste contract in place for the business.

This followed information passed on from the council’s waste services to the waste enforcement team that the business’s contract had been suspended following non-payment. The waste enforcement team investigated further and found waste belonging to the business dumped on Market Street in Stalybridge.

On 4 April 2024, a Fixed Penalty Notice was served to Mr Whittaker but it was never paid - despite numerous letters reminding him to pay – so the council proceeded to prosecute at court.

The case was originally listed to be heard in March 2025, however it was adjourned and a trial was arranged for 3 December 2025, following a not guilty plea.

Mr Whittaker did not attend court for his trial and the court agreed to proceed in his absence.

A witness from the waste enforcement team attended and gave evidence and magistrates found the case proved and found Mr Whittaker guilty of the offence.

They imposed a fine of £1100 and a Victim Surcharge of £440 and ordered compensation of £2000 to be paid to the council as well as £300 costs.

Tameside Council Executive Member for Environmental Services and Neighbourhoods Cllr Laura Boyle said: “This is a great result from our team and from court – the large fine reflects the seriousness of the offence and the negative impact it had on the local community in Stalybridge.

“Businesses in the UK are required by law to manage their waste properly, which includes having a commercial waste contract. It’s not fair for residents to have to pay for commercial waste to be disposed of or for them to have to endure business waste being dumped in the street.

“I know how much irresponsibly dumped waste concerns our community and we will always take enforcement action where we have evidence against the offenders.”