Oldbury-based firm John Davies Interiors Ltd instructed them to erect the scaffolding as they were overseeing the refurbishment of the City Plaza. That firm was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay £1,996 costs for not conducting proper checks once scaffolding had been completed and they had taken control of the structure. Mike Ford, HM Inspector for Health and Safety Executive (HSE) who brought the prosecution, said: “This was a substantial structure that came away from the building. It was lucky that the walkway between the Cathedral and New Street was empty at the time and that the glass that went into the offices opposite did not injure anybody.”

John Davies Interiors became concerned about the stability of the scaffolding when they saw it swaying hours before it collapsed. They had arranged an inspection the next day with SGB but it fell before checks could be made.

Daniel McShee, solicitor for SGB Services, said: “What appears to have happened is that workers on-site were asked not to put ties in where windows were due to be put into the existing brickwork. The company accepts responsibility for this and should have found alternative areas for ties.”

Mr McShee said the international firm had never had a scaffold fall.

Dominic Kay, solicitor for John Davies Interiors, said: “Regular inspections should have taken place when the structure was handed to us in November. They may not have spotted the potential faults but the company accepts it relied too heavily on the competence, experience and expertise on SGB. This is not a case of a cowboy outfit. The firm has an unblemished safety record up to this point and has never had a conviction in 25 years of trading.”