Pub ordered to pay £7k for hygiene failings

An Enfield council food safety inspector visited the pub in November 2015 and the venue’s owners Bitz Enterprises was served hygiene improvement notices after a series of breaches were identified.

The pub was instructed to tackle problems relating to food-safety management, additional food-hygiene training and an unsuitable area for food preparation.

Problems were not solved

Bitz Enterprises pleaded guilty to four charges under the Food Safety & Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on 2 March.

The pub’s owner was ordered to pay a £6,340 fine, £1,000 in costs and £170 victim surcharage.

An extension of time for compliance was granted but a subsequent inspection in March last year found the problems had not been fully tackled.

Licensee Brian Bitz said:” The charges go back to 2015. Everything was rectified a year ago and this is the subsequent court case for that.

“We will be asking for a re-inspection so we can move on from that.

“While that fine is what they have levied, that is going to be appealed in court.” 

Enfield Council cabinet member for environment Daniel Anderson outlined the steps the local authority took to give the pub a chance.

Don't want to prosecute

He said: “This establishment was given ample opportunity to clean up its act and simply did not do so even though they were granted extra time to get things right.

“We do not want to prosecute food businesses but when we are left with no choice we will act firmly and decisively to protect the public from the risk of harm.

“When residents eat out, they expect chefs to be following proper safety guidelines and preparing food in clean, hygienic conditions that are fit for purpose.

“Sadly this was not happening in this case and the failure to get their food hygiene right has cost the Queen’s Head a hefty fine.”