Court case ruling on the Wobbly Wheel near Warmington

Stratford Magistrates Court awarded Stratford-on-Avon District Council £3,296 following a court case last week, 5 March, and fined the Spirit Group Ltd £29,500.

Following an investigation by Environmental Health Officers at Stratford-on-Avon District Council, the Wobbly Wheel public house near Warmington was found guilty of eight food hygiene offences.

Food Safety Officers from the District Council visited the Wobbly Wheel on 3 occasions last year and found that levels of cleanliness within the premises were unacceptable and that the Companys procedures for managing the food safety side of the business were not being followed.  Some of the issues were the same food stains were seen on the walls and the floor of the walk-in chiller on each visit, maggots were seen in the corridor between the kitchen and the walk-in chiller and debris from a structural repair carried-out six days previously was still on the floor.  Despite efforts by the Councils officers to secure improvements, the Company made little progress.

Portfolio Holder for Environment, Cllr Simon Jackson said: The level of the fine imposed by the Magistrates in this case demonstrates the seriousness with which breaches of food hygiene are taken.  The Company failed in their duty to manage food hygiene and in doing so compromised public safety.  The action we have taken shows that this will not be tolerated in Stratford District.  Our officers are happy to work with and advise businesses on these issues, and, where appropriate, point them towards others that can help.  However, where standards have slipped to unacceptable levels, we will not hesitate to use formal action to secure compliance with legislation.

The Wobbly Wheel was sold by the Spirit Group in April 2008 and is now being operated by Whitbread.  Under its new management the business was recently given a Gold award for food safety under the Councils Scores on the Doors scheme.

• By law food businesses must have a documented food safety system with which they should be able to demonstrate that their food is safe for consumption.
• The public protection team at the District Council have been actively supporting food business operators in developing their safe food management systems with free training and mentoring which was funded by the Food Standards Agency.
• The District Council now publish Food Hygiene Inspection Ratings on the District Council website making it possible for the public to select premises with a good record of compliance.