Overview
Jayne's Baby Bank operated premises with serious fire hazards despite a formal Prohibition Notice, continuing to trade in violation and risking occupant safety, including children, without proper fire safety compliance or regulatory approval.
Throughout the investigation period, Carrie-Anne Ridsdale (Carrie), who presents publicly as Jayne Price, Carrie-Anne Ridsdale, publicly emphasised the importance of fire safety labels on donated items, such as clothing and furniture, repeatedly instructing volunteers and donors to ensure fire retardant labels were intact and warning against distributing items without them. Early claims from 2022 through 2024 show a consistent focus on fire safety compliance, including recalls of items lacking fire labels and instructions to maintain clear fire exits and routes. Carrie also described training programmes for volunteers covering fire safety and health and safety requirements, suggesting an awareness of regulatory standards.
By mid-2024 and into 2025, Carrie asserted that the premises had passed health and safety and fire inspections, claiming cooperation with fire authorities and the council. She stated that fire doors were installed, fire exits were marked, and fire extinguishers were provided, sometimes at her own expense. Carrie also claimed that the fire brigade was satisfied with the premises and that grants and equipment had been provided by them. However, these claims are contradicted by official records and enforcement actions documented later.
In 2025 and early 2026, Carrie-Anne Ridsdale reported incidents involving fire safety concerns, including obstructed fire exits, excessive fire loading, and poor housekeeping. She acknowledged the presence of flammable stock and the need to reduce it for safety. Despite these acknowledgments, Carrie continued to operate premises that were subject to serious fire safety risks, including unsafe electrical use, lack of working fire detection systems, and dangerous escape routes.
A critical development occurred in early 2026 when South Wales Fire and Rescue Service issued a formal Fire Prohibition Notice (PNO1/0151) against Carrie's premises due to lethal fire hazards. The notice cited excessive fire loading, poor housekeeping, unsafe electrical use, lack of fire detection, dangerous and limited escape routes, and travel distances too long for safe evacuation. The notice explicitly stated that occupants would be unable to escape safely in the event of a fire.
Despite the prohibition, Carrie continued to trade and operate the premises, which led to a subsequent Article 30 Enforcement Notice. Carrie-Anne Ridsdale publicly acknowledged the prohibition but framed it as a challenge to overcome, claiming to have received good advice from the fire brigade and to be working with them to address issues. She also described clearing areas as requested by fire authorities and completing fire safety training for volunteers.
Carrie's public statements about cooperation with fire services and passing inspections are contradicted by the formal enforcement actions and documented fire safety failings. She also claimed that the fire brigade provided grants and equipment, but there is no official confirmation of such support. Carrie's narrative includes accusations against individuals allegedly responsible for fire incidents, including a petrol bomb threat and arson, which remain unverified and are presented as her allegations.
The premises operated by Carrie-Anne Ridsdale included locations in Pontypool and Caerphilly, with multiple enforcement actions recorded, including utility disconnections and evictions. The presence of children in the premises and Carrie's own emphasis on safeguarding children heighten the safeguarding risk posed by the fire safety failings. Carrie-Anne Ridsdale's refusal to fully comply with fire safety regulations and the continuation of operations under prohibition notices represent significant regulatory and safety breaches.
In summary, Carrie demonstrated awareness of fire safety requirements but failed to maintain compliant premises, resulting in formal prohibition and enforcement actions. The continued operation despite these notices exposed occupants, including children, to lethal fire hazards. Carrie's claims of cooperation and compliance are contradicted by official enforcement records, indicating a pattern of regulatory non-compliance and risk to public safety. This situation warrants referral to the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service's enforcement and legal departments for further action and safeguarding oversight.
