Landlord of filthy pub is fined £16,000

Feb 12 2008 by Ben Schofield, Liverpool Daily Post

THE landlord of a filthy pub near Southport has been fined £16,000 for environmental health violations.

Inspectors found alarming amounts of mouldy and decomposing food in the kitchen of the New Fleetwood pub, in Banks.

A tray of festering lasagne had grown a crust of lurid blue mould and there was cooked chicken covered in a slimy film in the food preparation area.

A portion of the lasagne with mould growing visibly on its surface was found plated up nearby.

Tests by the Lancashire County Analyst confirmed the food was unfit for human consumption.

Landlord Simon Swift voluntarily closed the kitchen to carry out remedial work following the inspection in September, 2006.

But, during a follow-up call in November that year, inspectors again found unfit food, this time roast tur-key and beef that had turned slimy.

Mr Swift pleaded guilty to six charges of having unfit food and another six of breaching food hygiene standards at Ormskirk Magistrates’ Court on January 31.

He was fined £1,500 for each unfit food charge and £500 for each of the food hygiene offences.

The court awarded costs of £3,880 to the council.

Cllr Martin Forshaw, West Lancashire council’s portfolio holder for environment and health, said: “The health and safety of our residents is a big priority and when we find that food premises are serving up pot-entially harmful food, we have to take action. We are pleased with the outcome of this particular case, which sends out a clear message that we will not hesitate to prosecute businesses that don't comply with the law.

“Most businesses in West Lancashire are complying, but in this case the proprietor recklessly breached the law and has been given his just desserts.”

READ the environmental health reports from restaurants near you – visit www.liverpool dailypost.co.uk/food

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