Restaurant contests hygiene offences

Date: 26/8/2011

Restaurant owners may be encouraged to invest in hygiene supplies after hearing how one establishment faces prosecution for breaching food safety regulations.

Hole in the Wall eatery is accused of eight hygiene offences, following an inspection by Bath and North East Somerset Council's public protection service, the Bath Chronicle reports.

John Dowd, director of Brick Up, which runs the establishment, pleaded not guilty to the charges and is awaiting the outcome of the case.

Environmental inspectors claim to have found mould covering the walls, unclean equipment, ready-to-eat foods kept uncovered and food debris at the premises during a visit in February this year.

Eight portions of guinea fowl and six pieces of steak that were past their use-by-date were also allegedly discovered at the site.

The restaurant is made up of the vaults of two Georgian townhouses and offers a pre-theatre menu, alongside its regular offerings of local seasonal dishes.