The proprietors of a hotel where a young woman lost her life following an incident involving a wardrobe falling on her have been formally accused of 20 offenses. Chloe Haynes, 21, was discovered deceased in her accommodation at Liverpool’s Adelphi Hotel on September 10, 2022. Nicola Williams, her mother, expressed her determination to uncover all the details surrounding the tragic demise of her beloved daughter, affectionately known as “Birdy.”
During a recent session at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court, Britannia Hotels Ltd, the entity managing the Adelphi Hotel, faced charges related to 20 health and safety violations under the auspices of two limited companies. The charges were levied by Liverpool City Council.
While the specifics of each of the 20 charges were not recited in court, charge sheets reviewed by the Liverpool Echo outline the accusations against Britannia Hotels. The allegations suggest that the safety of employees, non-employees, Chloe Haynes, and Valencia Verdin, a three-year-old who sustained injuries from a cabinet incident at the hotel in the prior year, was compromised. The alleged lapses include the failure to adequately secure windows and wardrobes in several hotel rooms, along with similar claims concerning a cabinet in a separate room.
The charges span a timeframe from January 2021 to August 2025, according to reports. Britannia Hotels’ representative, Keith Morton KC, informed the court that the company would not enter a plea during the preliminary hearing. The case was subsequently referred to Liverpool Crown Court, with a plea and trial preparation hearing scheduled for June 4.
District Judge Paul Healey adjourned the proceedings, directing that all charges be transferred to Liverpool Crown Court for trial. He emphasized the gravity of the allegations and the potential sentencing implications, indicating that a trial by judge and jury at the crown court would be necessary if a not guilty plea were entered.
Chloe, who had a twin brother and three other siblings, had traveled from North Wales to Liverpool for a night out from her workplace at Hafan y Mor Haven Holiday Park in Pwllheli. She was sharing a room with a colleague at the hotel, who discovered her and raised the alarm.
Ms. Williams recounted that Chloe had returned to the hotel inebriated after a night out and tragically perished when a wardrobe fell on her as she seemingly mistook it for a door. Despite efforts by fellow guests to assist, it was too late to save her. Merseyside Police ruled her death as accidental after initial inquiries.
Describing her daughter, Ms. Williams fondly recalled Chloe’s affection for animals, particularly her beloved dog Archie. She highlighted Chloe’s inner beauty, kindness, and gentle nature, illustrating the depth of her character beyond her external appearance.
