Coffee shop failed to meet food hygiene standards

Food hygiene inspectors at Dudley Council have taken legal action against Soho Coffee in Merry Hill, after it contravened food hygiene standards.

An unannounced inspection was made to the premises in March 2023, in response to information received that there was pest activity inside the premises. Mouse droppings were found throughout the site, including the servery and washing up areas, the electrical cupboard and the dry store and office.

Due to the mouse activity within the premises, the business was forced to close under the storage, preparation and sale of food using emergency powers contained in The Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013.

The listed offences against the operator of the Soho store were:

  • The Food Business Operators did not put in place, implement, and maintain a permanent procedure or procedures based on the HACCP principles.
  • Food premises were not kept clean and maintained in good repair and condition.
  • Adequate procedures were not in place to control pests.

They entered a guilty plea to all three charges at Dudley Magistrates and the court ordered a fine of £4,900, a victim surcharge of £1,960 and full legal costs of £1,225.  

The premises did previously have an excellent food safety record but during the visit it was found to have failed to implement a food safety management system, particularly in relation to pest control checks and cleaning.

The pest issue occurred straight after a restructure and was found to be in part due to a renovation at a premises next door disturbing the mice population.

Councillor James Clinton, cabinet member for public health, said: “Once again, we are showing those who operate food premises that we will not hesitate to act against those who are not fully meeting their responsibilities.

“During an officer’s visit to Soho Coffee premises at Merry Hill last year, mouse droppings were found in the food rooms - putting the consumers of such food at risk of injury to health.

“We had no choice but to temporarily close the premises, but I am pleased the business has accepted full responsibility and has since worked closely with us to ensure food hygiene standards are carefully adhered to.”

People can view food hygiene ratings for food premises throughout the UK online at ratings.food.gov.uk.

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