Lager and grime

DIRTY . . . the kitchen sink pictured at the time of the inspection

A FORMER pub landlord has been fined £1,600 after inspectors discovered dirty kitchen equipment and stained flooring on site.

Oldham Council prosecuted Philip Elton after environmental health officers visited the Northgate, Sholver Lane, on November 12, 2015.

During the visit officers found the flooring throughout the kitchen was dirty and spillages had not been cleaned up.

Old food debris and grease was found round the kitchen floor wall junctions with the kitchen's sinks and taps also discovered to be dirty and containing old equipment in stagnant water.

The fridge and freezer seals were engrained with dirt and shelving throughout the premises was greasy and stained.

Basin

The fryer was coated in layers of grease and cigarette ends were found discarded in a bowl in the kitchen and on a window sill.

There was no soap or materials for hygienic hand drying available at the kitchen wash hand basin and there was no adequate provision for the storage and disposal of food waste.

On February 1 Elton pleaded guilty to breaching five food hygiene laws at Tameside Magistrates' Court.

Elton, who no longer runs the pub, was fined a total of £1,600 and ordered to pay costs of £2,050 with a victim surcharge of £32.

After the first inspection a follow up visit by officers found standards had improved.

After a further unannounced inspection in April, the pub's hygiene rating went up from zero to three - 'generally satisfactory'.

Councillor Barbara Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Co-operatives, said: "Oldham Council takes matters like this very seriously and we are committed to ensuring there are no serious lapses in food hygiene in premises across the borough.

"We will not hesitate to take action to protect the health and safety of our residents.

"Business owners who run establishments that serve food must comply with the law or be prepared to face prosecution."

People can check food businesses current food hygiene ratings at http://ratings.food.gov.uk.