Powys's Mellington Hall Hotel admits hygiene offences

A Powys hotel has been ordered to pay more than £7,500 after mouldy food unfit for human consumption was found in a fridge on the premises.

Flies were found on uncovered food in the kitchen and mouldy cheese and strawberries were discovered in a fridge when environmental health officers visited Mellington Hall Hotel, Churchstoke, last July.

Managers Lance and Vanessa Thomas admitted eight food hygiene offences, including having food on the premises that was unfit for human consumption, at Welshpool Magistrates Court yesterday.

The couple were fined £6,750, ordered to pay £1,007.59 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Mr Nigel Vaughan, prosecuting, told the court that during a routine visit by Powys County Council's environmental health team in July last year, they found mouldy foods in the fridge. Other food was found to be past its sell-by date.

The court also heard how chilled foods were found being kept at room temperature in the kitchen and foods were being stored uncovered on the floor of the chillers.

Mr Vaughan said a significant fly infestation was also noted by the officers.

When officers returned on January 6, they found mouldy food, which was past its sell-by date in the fridge.

Mr Christopher Ross, defending, said his clients were truly sorry for what had happened and had voluntarily closed the hotel.

They had then taken "significant steps" to improve cleanliness including extensive staff training and introducing large fly units.

He said after the second visit "they discovered the chef had dyslexia and couldn't read the sell-by dates. He was disciplined and they have now adopted a colour-coded system to help him".