Stratford Magistrates Court fined Penworth Pub Company Ltd £2,400 following a court case last week, 25 June, and awarded Stratford-on-Avon District Council £841 costs.

Following an investigation by Environmental Health Officers at Stratford-on-Avon District Council, The Wharf Inn public house in Fenny Compton was found guilty of three hygiene offences.

The offences were:

• Failing to establish adequate procedures for controlling pests;
• Failing to keep a food premises clean and
• Failure to ensure that articles, fittings and equipment which come into contact with food were effectively cleaned.

Food Safety Officers from the District Council visited The Wharf Inn and found evidence of an infestation of mice, including substantial numbers of droppings and a nest of shredded paper within the motor of one of the freezers.  The standard of cleaning, both of the premises and of kitchen equipment were poor.  The premises were closed until the infestation had been removed and the necessary cleaning carried out.

	Cllr Simon Jackson

The Penworth Pub Company was fined £800 for each offence.

Portfolio Holder for Environment, Cllr Simon Jackson said: "The Company failed in their duty to manage food hygiene and in doing so compromised public safety.  The action we have taken shows that this will not be tolerated in Stratford District.  Our officers are happy to work with and advise businesses on these issues, and, where appropriate, point them towards others that can help.  However, where standards have slipped to unacceptable levels, we will not hesitate to use formal action to secure compliance with legislation."

By law food businesses must have a documented food safety system with which they should be able to demonstrate that their food is safe for consumption.

The public protection team at the District Council have been actively supporting food business operators in developing their safe food management systems with free training and mentoring which was funded by the Food Standards Agency.

The District Council now publish Food Hygiene Inspection Ratings on the District Council website making it possible for the public to select premises with a good record of compliance.

Contact details

For further details contact
Wayne Jones, Environmental Health Officer

Stratford-on-Avon District Council
Elizabeth House,
Church Street,
Stratford-upon-Avon,
Warwickshire,
CV37 6HX

Tel: 01789 260824
Email: wayne.jones@stratford-dc.gov.uk

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