Latest news with #foodhygiene
BBC News
13 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
Stockport restaurant owner fined over mouse infestation
The owner of a dessert restaurant has been fined after a "serious" mouse infestation was discovered. Dessert Lounge on Castle Street in Edgeley, Stockport, was visited by inspectors who found droppings "immediately upon entry" in July Javed Shah admitted seven food hygiene offences at Tameside Magistrates' Court last month and was fined £500. He was also ordered to pay £7,000 in costs and a £1,400 victim surcharge. Inspectors found droppings throughout the restaurant including on food packaging, plastic cups and food preparation surfaces, Stockport Council said. A follow up inspection in March found the business had addressed the issues and awarded it a Food Hygiene Rating of 4. 'Appalling conditions' The council said Shah accepted "full responsibility" for the failings and told the court he was no longer involved in the business. Inspectors also found the restaurant had no effective pest control, food handlers had not been adequately trained or supervised and there were no accessible wash hand basins with hot and cold running water or hygienic hand-drying facilities. Coun Dan Oliver, cabinet member for communities, culture and public protection, said the "appalling conditions" found at the business represented "a serious failure to protect public health". This kind of negligence is completely unacceptable, and we will continue to take strong enforcement action against any business that puts customers at risk," he said. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
The Sun
20 hours ago
- Health
- The Sun
Historic seafood restaurant seen on Antiques Roadshow and Lovejoy forced to shut down after ‘terrible' rat infestation
AN HISTORIC sea food restaurant has been closed down court action after a rat infestation was discovered in the building. The infestation in the grade II listed building in Maldon, Essex, was discovered by district council hygiene officers. 3 3 Maldon District Council took court action against Fish on the Quay which is located on Church Street. Some parts of the historic building, which is used today as a restaurant, pub and a bed and breakfast, date back to the 15th century. Hygiene officers visited the business after receiving a complaint and discovered a "horrendous" rat infestation. Rodents at the restaurant were reportedly discovered licking tubs of honey and leaving droppings in the kitchen. The infestation was said to be in the venue's kitchen, bar and cellar spaces and posed an 'imminent risk to the public." After visiting on June 13 inspectors photographed rat droppings within the condiments, on top of a fridge in a kitchen storage area, in packaging, and behind a freezer in a storage shed. The business has been closed until inspectors are satisfied that the issue has been addressed, pest control are reportedly on site on a daily basis. Staff at Fish on the Quay, which is owned and operated by The Jolly Sailor Ltd, are working with the council to fix the problem. A manager has vowed to reopen the venue in Hythe Quay, telling the BBC "everything is great." Council leader Richard Siddall said however that "incredibly serious offences" had been identified a the venue. Shocking moment pack of huge RATS swarm popular McDonald's The council took the restaurant to court to apply for a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order which was granted. The order means that the business cannot reopen until health risks are removed. Council officers are reportedly working with staff to ensure the safety of visitors and neighbours following the discovery of the rodent infestation. According to Sidall an "imminent risk to public health" had been identified. The rat infestation on the premises was identified as ongoing and extensive. Fish on the Quay has won several awards including a Diners' Choice award from OpenTable in 2022. 3 It also appeared on TV several times most notably when an episode of Lovejoy was filmed there in January 1992. It has also appeared on Lawless heart in 2001 and The Antiques Road show in 2007. The historic building was once a Customs house keeping an eye on boats going back and fourth up the River Blackwater. Currently there is a sign outside the historic building reading: "We are closed! Sorry for the inconvenience." Cllr Richard Siddall, Leader of Maldon District Council, said; 'Our officers took swift action against this business as soon as it became clear there was an imminent risk to public health. 'It is absolutely vital that food businesses are kept clean and in good repair in line with stringent food safety legislation. "A failure to do so could potentially result in terrible consequences for the public and we will always take action against any owners not abiding by these laws. 'Whilst these are incredibly serious offences, we will work with the operator to improve the standards of cleanliness and make sure that they comply food safety standards before they reopen.'
BBC News
a day ago
- Health
- BBC News
Fish on the Quay in Maldon closed by council over rat infestation
A seafood restaurant has been shut down after a widespread rat infestation was found at its on the Quay was visited by hygiene officers from Maldon District Council, who took court action on leader Richard Siddall said "incredibly serious offences" had been identified at the venue in the Essex contacted by the BBC, a manager vowed to reopen on Friday and insisted "everything is great". The restaurant in Hythe Quay - which is also home to a pub and a bed and breakfast - is "committed to sourcing the freshest ingredients", according to its website.A Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order, made at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court, meant health risks must be removed before reopening. Council officers have been working with the business, which also offers a bed and breakfast service, to protect visitors, staff and nearby a Maldon District Independent, said there had been an "imminent risk to public health".He stressed having an "active and widespread" rat infestation could have had "terrible consequences" for customers."Whilst these are incredibly serious offences, we will work with the operator to improve the standards of cleanliness and make sure that they comply with food safety standards before they reopen," the council leader added. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Owner of restaurant favoured by Royals, Rita Ora and Selena Gomez hit with £31,000 court bill after serious food and hygiene legislation breaches
The owner of an up-market restaurant favoured by the Royals and A-listers has been hit with a £31,000 fine for serious food and hygiene breaches. Conor George Thomson-Moore, the owner of Beach Blanket Babylon in Notting Hill, west London, was sentenced on Monday and ordered to pay a £7,000 fine, £2,000 victim surcharge and the Council's legal costs of £22,000. The 30-year-old was also banned from operating a food business for ten years. It comes after the renowned eatery was forced to close when it was found to have a serious infestation of mice, rats and cockroaches - with food contaminated by mouse droppings. Kensington and Chelsea Council officers inspected the restaurant in September 2022 and found poor cleaning, inadequate pest control procedures and a failure to comply with a Hygiene Improvement Notice under the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013. The venue was a former favourite of Prince William and Princess Kate as well as Selena Gomez and Rita Ora. The dirty and unclean condition of the restaurant saw it served with an Emergency Hygiene Prohibition Notice. No hot water and more pest issues found in a 2023 inspection meant they were also served with Hygiene Improvement Notices. Operators Robert Kenneth Newmark and Conor George Thomson-Moore admitted serious food offences in April, with the offences related to poor food hygiene practices. Thomson-Moore pleaded guilty to four charges at City of London Magistrates' Court and the charges against Mr Newmark were dropped. District Judge Clarke said, 'this was probably one of the egregious cases I have seen'. At the time of the offences, it is believed the former restaurant boss was already disqualified 'for conduct' as an 'unfit' director of Café Hampstead, according to Companies House. The disgraced hospitality boss has for years had money troubles follow him, allegedly owing thousands of pounds to unpaid staff and creditors. But he has now fled to Spain, where he attends parties, enjoys fine dinners and is seen on lavish boats. A Soho restaurant he previously owned called Martha's came under fire in 2019 when staff protested with placards outside the establishment, claiming they had been left out of pocket - with sums of more than £1,500 owed to some of them. Thomson-Moore, insisted that all staff who were due wages had been paid, blaming the row on confusion arising during a managerial handover and a former manager who he said was bad at paperwork, according to the Guardian. The restaurant was forced to shut down after it became insolvent. In the same year, Café Hampstead went bust as it owed £346,464.26 in unpaid debts. The amount included £107,857.40 to Camden Council for business rates and £144,000 to HMRC for unpaid tax and VAT, according to papers filed by Café Hampstead Ltd's liquidators, seen by Ham&High. Other creditors include hospitality recruitment firms, wine suppliers and a plumber. Councilor Johnny Thalassites, lead member for environment and planning for Kensington and Chelsea said on the sentencing: 'We support our local businesses, but we also take food safety seriously. 'Our officers work with businesses to ensure high standards are maintained that our residents and visitors expect and deserve.
News.com.au
4 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
‘Contaminated': Ritzy suburb's Coles clip goes viral
A cheeky pigeon has been caught indulging in a free lunch at a Coles supermarket in one of Melbourne's most up-market suburbs. Footage shared online shows the bird perched on the edge of a scoop & weight bin at the Toorak store and dipping its head in for a mouthful of almonds – seemingly unfazed by nearby shoppers. The bird can then be seen nestling into the almonds and getting comfortable as it continues to pick at them. The video, which has quickly done the rounds on social media, has sparked lighthearted reactions, with some users labelling the bird as 'cute and clever.' 'The cost of living is impacting everyone, even birds have to stoop to the lowest of lows,' joked one. 'They're so clever. Too cute,' said another. 'He's in heaven! What a sweet little guy,' said a third. However, not everyone was so impressed. 'Don't let it inside the food?!?! Now its contaminated,' complained one. 'That's so nasty,' said another. 'That's SO unsanitary,' said a third. According to strict guidelines from Food Standards Australia and New Zealand, food businesses must keep storage areas clean, dry and free of pests. A spokesperson for Coles told 'While the pigeon in the social media video clearly believed it had discovered the ultimate bird 'buffet' — and may well have hit the pigeon jackpot — we want to reassure customers that maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and food safety in our stores is always our top priority. The spokesperson continued: 'As a food retailer, we work really hard to uphold the highest level of hygiene in our stores and we have numerous measures in place to deter birds from entering our stores in the first place. Occasionally, when birds outsmart our systems, we then ensure a thorough clean is carried out.' The Coles representative added that as soon as the incident in the video occurred, the team helped remove the bird and return it outdoors. They also disposed of the affected almonds and 'thoroughly cleaned and disinfected the scoop and container involved.' The spokesperson added: 'Our pick and mix stations are a popular choice for customers, offering variety and flexibility, and we're continually reviewing and enhancing our protocols to ensure the hygiene is protected at all times.' The pigeon incident comes after a cockatoo nicknamed Mickey became stuck in a Coles supermarket for over four weeks, late last year. The native bird became reportedly trapped inside the store at Macarthur Square in Campbelltown, NSW, after he flew through the loading dock. A Coles spokeswoman told NewsWire at the time that the bird had 'become a friendly fixture in the Macarthur Square shopping centre, and is currently not inside Coles but exploring other areas inside the broader shopping precinct.' 'When the bird entered our store, our team along with external expert wildlife and bird management organisations were working extremely hard to safely and importantly, humanely, relocate the cockatoo to where it belongs, in the outdoors.'
