South Oxfordshire caterers made to pay £14k in court

The owners of Sear Street Kitchen Limited appeared at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Friday (December 2) where they admitted seven offences under Regulation 19 of The Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013.

Magistrates heard that on September 9 2021, food safety officers from South Oxfordshire District Council carried out a routine inspection of the company’s premises at Withy Close, Horsepond Road in Kidmore End.  

READ MORE: Oxfordshire police fine driver with iced car windows

The filthy state of the premises (Image: South Oxfordshire District Council)

During the inspection, the premises as well as the mobile van and trailer used for outdoor catering events, such as weddings and festivals, were found in a filthy state. 

The floor and walls were covered with dirt, cobwebs and food debris, a green-black residue was visible on the work surface and rotting meat lay on an inset tray. 

The mobile van had a strong decaying smell, mould was growing on food packaging in the freezer and a griddle had dried food residue over it. 

There was evidence of mice activity in the food preparation and storage area and the same vacuum packing machine was being used to pack both raw meat and ready to eat food, potentially causing a serious risk of cross contamination. 

The filthy state of the premises (Image: South Oxfordshire District Council)

With “clearly inadequate food hygiene and pest control procedures in place”, officers determined that there was an imminent risk to public health and issued a zero food hygiene rating. 

The owners therefore had to close the premises until they had dealt with all the issues, complied with regulations and put the required procedures in place.

In court, Magistrates heard that the company directors responded quickly and were able to open again 11 days later and that a new appointment of a further chef now ensures that all food hygiene matters are complied with. 

In sentencing, Magistrates recognised the seriousness of the situation and the considerable risk as to what could have happened, but they also took into account the swift and ongoing action the business had taken, their previous good character and early guilty plea. 

The filthy state of the premises (Image: South Oxfordshire District Council)

As a result, Sear Street Kitchen Limited were fined £12,000 and ordered to pay £1,974 costs and a £190 victim surcharge.

Following reinspection in August 2022, Sear Street Kitchen Limited now has a food hygiene rating of 3.

Councillor Sue Cooper, cabinet member for environment, climate change and nature recovery at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “If you run a food business you are legally required to have procedures in place to ensure food is always stored, prepared and served safely.

“Our inspectors will not hesitate to act if they have any concerns that a business is potentially putting the health and safety of customers and staff at risk.”

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This story was written by Sophie Perry. She joined the team in 2021 as a digital reporter.

You can get in touch with her by emailing: sophie.perry@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @itssophieperry

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