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£1,000 fine for Bedford restaurateur who ignored food hygiene warnings (12 November 2015)

Date: 12/11/2015
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, £1,000 fine for Bedford restaurateur who ignored food hygiene warnings

A restaurant owner who ignored repeated warnings about the cleanliness of his business has been fined more than £1,000.

Gerald D’Arcy – who owns Fajitas Mexican restaurant in Kings Arms Yard, Ampthill in Bedfordshire – admitted failing to supervise and maintain areas of his kitchen, which were found to be dirty and needed cleaning.

A visit by Central Bedfordshire Council’s Public Protection team in September 2014 found a number of dirty and poorly maintained areas in the kitchen –
including the floor, cooker, the extract canopy, food service platters and shelving. There was also mould growth on the fridge seals.

D’Arcy entered a guilty plea when he appeared at Luton Magistrates’ Court and was ordered to pay a fine of £230, costs of £770 and a victim surcharge of £21. He was given credit for his guilty plea.

After the hearing, the Executive Member for Communities at Central Bedfordshire Council, Councillor Brian Spurr, said:

“Anyone going out for a meal rightly expects that where they will be eating – especially the kitchen – will be clean and properly run.

“That was not the case at Fajitas, and despite the owner being given repeated advice and guidance over several years to improve standards, he failed to do so.

“Prosecution is always a last resort for the council, as we would rather work with businesses to help them improve.

“However, that was impossible in this case – which is why the owner now faces damage to both his wallet and his restaurant’s reputation.”

Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors

Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors can advise restaurateurs and owners of takeaways or other catering outlets on prosecution for breaches of health and safety or hygiene, at any stage of an investigation.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and our criminal solicitors can attend interviews with prosecuting agencies to advise on public protection offences.

For expert legal advice on charges relating to public protection offences and food hygiene, call Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors on 0333 772 0409.

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