THE owners of a hotel have hit out after a couple claimed they were locked inside the building.

Sarah Fletcher and her husband were staying at the Howard Arms Hotel, on Front Street, Brampton earlier this month, when she and her husband went downstairs for breakfast they found the place in darkness and triggered the alarm.

The couple, who stayed at the hotel between October 8 and October 12 while visiting family, say they were shocked after the incident.

Sarah told the News & Star: “Me and my husband were the only two people staying [that] night, and had no idea we were locked in the building until we came down for breakfast at 7.19am.

“We were told by a member of staff not to come downstairs before 7am, and at the time, didn’t really think much of it.

“But when we went downstairs for breakfast, we found the rooms in darkness, and seconds later the alarms went off.”

The charity worker expressed health and safety fears for future guests if a fire were to break out .

“My main worry is what would we do if a fire were to happen - we wouldn’t be able to get out with the doors being locked, and nobody around to help.”

Tom Brodie, landlord and tenant of the Howard Arms Hotel, disputed the claims: “No one was locked inside the building, and the couple weren’t alone. In fact, myself and my wife were in the flat upstairs, plus two members of staff were also sleeping in the building at the time.

“As soon as the alarm was activated, I received a notification about it, got up and went downstairs to speak to the lady.

“Two members of staff shortly arrived on site to set up our breakfast service and assist the guests before they checked out.”

Mr Brodie has been in the hotel trade for 25 years, and took over the running of the hotel with his wife eight years ago.

He added: “The safety of our guests is my top priority, and those who stay with us are informed about the ground floor being alarmed at night.

“This is alarmed purely for safety reasons, in case anyone tries to break in overnight, but guests can also exit the building through the well designated fire escapes.”