Appalling" hygiene at pub brings £20k fine for M&B

Mitchells & Butlers has been hit with a £20,000 fine after health inspectors found a "kitchen nightmare" at one of its North London pubs.

Frosen fish was found defrosting in a bowl of dirty washing up, raw food was next to cooked items on chopping boards, and grease and grime was found across the kitchen at the Duck in the Pond in Kenton, Harrow, during the visit.

Harrow Council environmental health officers Richard Maragh and Susan Haynes inspected the pub after previous warnings had been issued to M&B since January 2007.

In court, M&B Retail admitted that its own third-party auditors had also found consistent problems over a two-year period.

Cllr Susan Hall, deputy leader of the council, said: "This would certainly have qualified as one of Gordon Ramsay's kitchen nightmares. Nobody had a grip on the kitchen and as a result the conditions were pretty grim.

"It was particularly appalling that this should happen under the ownership of a large business like Mitchells and Butlers, and the company's delay in tackling the issue is reflected in the level of the fine."

Harrow Magistrates' Court was told the Duck's owners had carried out £30,000 of work, including a deep clean and refit of the venue, since the inspection was carried out last June.

A spokesman for Mitchells & Butlers said: "Food safety is our top priority and responsibility. These incidents took place over six months ago and we acted quickly to rectify them. We undertook a comprehensive review of all food hygiene practices at the pub to reinforce the high standards of food safety that we require.

"We also put in place a new, highly experienced team, including a new pub manager and retrained all staff to ensure our rigorous food safety processes are adhered to. We are confident that the pub now has in place the highest standards of food hygiene and our customers can be assured that their meals are carefully and properly prepared, cooked and served."