Greene King fined £42,000

Greene King has been hit with a mammoth £42,000-worth of fines and costs for hygiene offences at a Hampshire pub.

It is the second time in three years the Suffolk brewer and operator has been found guilty of breaching hygiene regulations at the Dolphin Inn in Botley, Hampshire.

Greene King pleaded guilty to 11 charges following visits from environmental health officers in July, August and September 2006. Inspectors found food unfit for human consumption including pâté with mould growing on it and decomposing prawns in the service fridge at the Hungry Horse branded outlet.

They also found staff had failed to protect food against contamination, had failed to keep the premises and equipment clean and failed to implement adequate stock control and temperature-monitoring procedures.

"The premises has had a poor history in relation to food hygiene," said Louise Bloom of Eastleigh Borough Council. "It is disappointing that, despite the help and advice of council officers, a large company such as Greene King has not been able to ensure compliance with food hygiene legislation."

Greene King area manager Mike Gore said: "The standards at the Dolphin were completely unacceptable and we unreservedly apologise to the pub's customers.

"We would like to stress that immediate action was taken in August 2006: a new management team was put in place a few weeks later."

and a complete overhaul of hygiene procedures took place. "Lessons have been learnt and we can now offer total assurance to customers that the kitchens are pristine and that food standards are top priority."