Mouse droppings found in town centre pub kitchen

Mouse droppings were found throughout the kitchen of a town centre pub, a court has heard.

The uncontrolled mouse infestation was discovered when an Environmental Health Officer carried out a routine food hygiene inspection at the Buck and Union, Union Street, Oldham on July 2 last year.

The droppings were discovered on food preparation surfaces, shelving and the floor.

The business voluntarily closed to allow a thorough deep clean.

Officers revisited two days later and reopened the premises.

On October 26 at Manchester City Magistrates Court, landlord Allan Hinchliffe pleaded guilty to three food hygiene offences

He was fined £300 with £1,500 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

Councillor Arooj Shah, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “Business owners must have clean kitchens – they shouldn’t be putting the health of their customers at risk.

“Our officers will continue to carry out food inspection and if people aren’t operation within the law then we will not hesitate to take action against them.”

All food businesses inspected by the council are given a rating based on their compliance with the legal requirements for hygiene, structural condition and confidence in the management.

Following a food hygiene inspection a business is rated from five for a very good through to zero for those premises that need to improve urgently.

It is voluntary for the businesses to display the rating but gives the consumer an indication of its overall level of food hygiene compliance.

All Oldham food business ratings are on the Food Standards Agency website: http://ratings.food.gov.uk/QuickSearch.aspx

Consumers are urged to check food hygiene ratings before they eat out or order meals online.

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