The operators of a pub in Wavertree have been ordered to pay nearly £30,000 after a court heard details of a significant mice infestation discovered by Environmental Health officers. Mitchells and Butler Leisure Retail Ltd, the company running the Richmond Tavern on Church Road, pleaded guilty to breaches of food safety and hygiene regulations following an inspection in January 2024.
The inspection, prompted by a customer complaint, led to the pub's immediate closure and a zero-star food hygiene rating. The establishment has since reopened after making significant improvements and now holds a five-star rating.
Key Takeaways
- Richmond Tavern in Wavertree was fined £22,000 with additional costs of £7,702.35.
- An inspection in January 2024 found an active mouse infestation and unhygienic conditions.
- The pub was immediately closed by Liverpool City Council officers due to an imminent risk to public health.
- After remedial work, the establishment reopened and later achieved a five-star food hygiene rating in July 2024.
Details of the Inspection Findings
Environmental Health officers from Liverpool City Council visited the Richmond Tavern in January 2024 after receiving a complaint from a member of the public. During their inspection, they found widespread evidence of a serious rodent problem while the business was still serving food to customers.
Inspectors documented mouse droppings throughout the premises. These were found in critical food preparation and dining areas, including on work surfaces, shelving units, and even on a chopping board. Droppings were also discovered on cleaning equipment and cloths, indicating a severe lack of sanitation.
The investigation revealed that the building had structural issues, with various gaps and holes that provided easy access for rodents. This lack of adequate pest-proofing was a significant factor in the infestation.
Scale of the Infestation
During the enforced closure period, the business confirmed that a total of 20 mice were caught on the premises. This number highlighted the high level of rodent activity that had been present while the pub was operational.
Immediate Closure and Public Health Risks
The conditions discovered by the council officers were deemed so unhygienic that they presented an imminent risk to public health. As a result, the pub was immediately ordered to cease trading. It was also issued a zero-star food hygiene rating, the lowest possible score.
Health officials noted that mice and rats are known carriers of dangerous bacteria, including salmonella and listeria. These pathogens can cause serious illness, posing a particular threat to vulnerable individuals such as children, the elderly, pregnant people, and those with compromised immune systems.
Understanding Food Hygiene Ratings
The national Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, operated locally by Liverpool City Council, provides customers with information about hygiene standards in restaurants, pubs, and cafes. Ratings range from 0 (urgent improvement necessary) to 5 (very good). The public can check ratings for local businesses on the Food Standards Agency website.
In addition to the pest infestation, inspectors found a general lack of regular cleaning. There was a significant build-up of dirt, debris, and grease behind cooking equipment. The court also heard that the business kept inaccurate records and had failed to act on previous advice from pest control experts.
Court Ruling and Financial Penalty
The case was heard at Sefton Magistrates Court on Thursday, 25 September 2024. The pub's operator, Mitchells and Butler Leisure Retail Ltd, pleaded guilty to breaching food safety and hygiene regulations.
The company was fined £22,000 for the offences. In addition, they were ordered to pay the council's full costs of £7,702.35, bringing the total financial penalty to £29,702.35.
“This case highlights the vital work of our Environmental Health team in keeping the public safe from falling ill due to poor hygiene in food establishments. People rightly expect that food they are having cooked for them and are paying for is safe from diseases such as salmonella and listeria.”
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Path to Recovery and a Five-Star Rating
Following the forced closure, the management of the Richmond Tavern undertook extensive remedial works to address the issues identified by the Environmental Health team. These efforts included professional pest control, deep cleaning, and sealing entry points for rodents.
After these improvements were completed, council officers revisited the premises and determined that the imminent health risk had been removed, allowing the pub to reopen to the public.
In a subsequent, unannounced inspection in July 2024, the Richmond Tavern demonstrated a complete transformation in its hygiene standards. The establishment was awarded a five-star food hygiene rating, signifying that its practices were now considered 'very good'.
Councillor Laura Robertson-Collins commented on the outcome, stating, “I am pleased that in this case the court has recognised the seriousness of the case, which will act as a deterrent for other businesses. It is also good to see that the premises did eventually take the matter seriously, resulting in a much-improved rating when they were re-inspected.”