Greene King pub stops salmonella scare from becoming TripAdvisor disaster
The Grove Farm pub in Leicester had to cancel all of its bookings during the busy Christmas trading period as part of an investigation into an outbreak of salmonella poisoning but announced on Facebook it had reopened earlier this week.
Pub manager Amy Robertson stressed that all tests for salmonella at the pub came back as negative and it had reopened with the full backing of environmental health and Public Health England.
"We would like to stress that at no point were our food safety and kitchen hygiene standards called into question and extensive testing proved our food is safe. All of our food handlers – from kitchen porters to chefs – must be qualified to the level two Food Hygiene Certificate before being allowed to work in our kitchens, and we are proud of our extremely strict hygiene regime."
Potentially disappointed customers who had festive bookings cancelled were kept sweet by being sent food and drink hampers, as well as a Marks & Spencer voucher. Many took to Facebook and TripAdvisor to praise the pub's response to the closure.
Local Marie Hill wrote: "I had booked a table for 15 people on Christmas Day. Although communication was somewhat lacking at first, I would like to compliment your staff on how well they dealt with our booking and refund. Thank you for the food and drinks hampers - I bought desserts with the voucher and, in the end, we all enjoyed a fantastic Christmas day lunch."
Another user praised the pub's response and said he would be returning for a meal as soon as it reopened.
The Grove Farm wasn't the only pub to run into difficulty during the festive period after Newcastle pub the Original Masons, in Walbottle, faced criticism for "burnt, inedible" Christmas dinners.
