THE PROPRIETOR of the Queens Hotel in New Quay has been fined after a food hygiene inspection by Ceredigion County Council found poor cleaning practices and mouse droppings in the kitchen. Mr. Melvin Spencer pleaded guilty to 4 offences relating to poor food hygiene practices at Aberystwyth Magistrates Court on the 10th November 2014. He was fined £500 for each of the four offences, ordered to pay costs of £1,100 and he was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £50, leaving him with a total bill of £3,150 A routine food hygiene inspection by an Environmental Health Officer of Ceredigion County Council in October 2013 found very poor standards of cleaning at the premises.
There was evidence of mouse droppings in the kitchen and public seating area, along with food requiring refrigeration being stored in a broken fridge. A revisit by Officers 3 days afterwards found continuing poor standards of equipment cleaning, and meat in a putrid state still on the premises following storage in the broken fridge. Cabinet member for Lifestyle Services Cllr Rhodri Evans commented “The food safety team works hard with local businesses to meet and maintain legal food hygiene standards. This is reflected in the very good Food Hygiene Ratings shown on the doors of the majority of food businesses in Ceredigion.
This gives reassurance to the public who live, work and visit Ceredigion that the food they eat is safe and has been prepared hygienically. However, on rare occasions the Council must refer serious cases of hygiene failures such as this for prosecution to protect the reputation of our excellent hospitality industry who work hard to maintain standards, and to protect public health.”
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