Please can you answer a question regarding my sons flat.  To me it looks like the owner has taken the back storage of the shop, which is at the front (his flat has access at the back) and made a one bedroom flat.  It is open plan kitchen living room and one bedroom and a bath room

with only one door/window in which is where the kitchen is.  so if there were a fire and they were at the other end or in the bedroom then the only way out is back into the shop, as there is a lock door, not even sure if it is barricaded and can be opened.  does this sound acceptable? should I contact the local council to see if planning has been given? I have attached a crude layout.

thank you

Sorry I have only just found this one. I am afraid you haven't showed sufficient details to give an opinion, you need to show all doors, windows, smoke detectors, including the grade  and the travel distances.

I would strongly suggest contacting the Local Authority Building Control Officer and the Fire Officer as the arrangement doesn't look typical and may have been carried out without the required permissions.

You can check if Planning Permission was given yourself by searching using the address of the shop on your Local Authority's Planning Portal