A GUESTHOUSE owner in Beverley has been fined £7,000 over a misleading four-star rating.

John Dixon Hart, 53 of Keldgate, Beverley and owner of Beverley Guest House, formerly as Minster Garth Guest House, was at Beverley Magistrates Court on Wednesday, July 19. He pleaded guilty to advertising and running a guest house below the minimum standards expected by consumers, and using misleading adverts to suggest the guesthouse was of four-star standard.

The court heard Hart had not renewed a contract with Quality in Tourism/Visit England but continued to show a four star rating, and later gave himself a four-star rating, with no criteria or justification. Guests had complained to Beverley Tourist Information about hygiene and safety, and fire officers also raised concerns.

Hart was fined £2,000 for each offence, and ordered to pay £3000 in costs and surcharges.