HIGH street discount giant Poundstretcher has failed in an Appeal Court challenge to its £1 million fine for “shoddy practices” at three stores.

The company went before a crown court last December after allegations of poor health safety at three branches, including Newhaven.

The claims related to overstocked store rooms which put staff at risk of injury plus lack of training and protection for junior workers.

Poundstretcher pleaded guilty to 24 breaches of health and safety legislation and was fined £1 million.

The sentencing judge said store managers had been unable to cope with “pressure” to get stock into shops and on to shelves.

Managers felt under pressure to accept stock deliveries when they did not have enough staff to deal with the stock, said Judge Roger Hetherington.

The company, which has about 400 stores across the UK, appealed against the size of the “excessive” fine which it was handed.

The breaches related only to three of its stores, it said, while a £1 million was significant to a company which is financially “stretched”.

But Court of Appeal judge Mr Justice Popplewell said the company had 21 previous convictions for similar health and safety offences.

And despite the claim of being financially stretched, it had opened 44 new stores in 2018 alone.

He said: “This amply demonstrates that this is not a company for whom a fine of £1 million, payable within 18 months, is in any way unjust or disproportionate, or such that it would be difficult for the company to meet.

“The judge was well aware the failings were in relation to particular stores, but they were breaches in a number of stores, reflective of systemic failings in senior management which had occurred many times before and not been put right.”

The crown court judge was also right to find that it was enough just to have a system in place for complying with health and safety legislation, he continued.

“What was important was whether the system was being implemented in practice,” he said.

The appeal was dismissed and the fine was upheld.

The court heard that the company has an exemplary health and safety record in more recent times.

The other two branches were Newbury and Swindon.

Councillor Isabelle Linington, cabinet member for environmental impact at Lewes District Council, said at the time: “Protecting residents by ensuring all businesses comply with health and safety law is essential.

“Good health and safety practices save lives and this council will not hesitate to take enforcement action when businesses play fast and loose with the welfare of their staff and customers.”