We are setting up a Buddhist retreat centre, we have the local council building inspector advising us on fire route, equipement, lighting etc and will inspect at the end of the month to sign off building regulations so we can open to the general public. Our electrician has said we have to have a fire safety inspection before we can open to the public, is this true please and how do we know if we have everything you require in place too? any advice would be much appreciated.

Your electrician is correct and you are subject to the The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and required to conduct a fire risk assessment (FRA). You can conduct the FRA yourself using the appropriate guidance or employ a fire risk assessor to do it for you. You can find this guidance at http://www.firesafe.org.uk/regulatory-reform-fire-safety-order-2005/ in your case you should use Small and medium places of assembly also Offices and shops and maybe others.

http://www.firesafe.org.uk/fire-risk-assessment/