The former owner of a Welsh café has been made to pay more than £6,000, including a £2,000 fine, after being found guilty of hygiene offences. Council environmental health officers visited Cafe@No1 in Griffithstown, Pontypool, in July 2023 after they received an anonymous complaint.
According to Torfaen council officers found signs of rodents throughout, including rat droppings on the kitchen floor, behind and below equipment, and in ceiling voids. Rat holes were present in the walls and skirting boards, and there were bait boxes located in food preparation area.
The kitchen was also dirty with a build-up of grease, dirt and food waste. Due to the serious risks posed to food safety, the premises was closed with immediate effect to protect public health. The business has since ceased trading. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter
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On Monday, December 9 Mark Edward Daniels – of Underhill Crescent, Abergavenny – was due at Newport Magistrates’ Court having pleaded not guilty to four food hygiene offences at an earlier hearing.
Daniels must pay more than £6,000 -Credit:Torfaen Council
Daniels did not attend the hearing -Credit:Torfaen Council
Daniels failed to attend the hearing but he was found guilty in his absence of failing to keep the premises clean, failing to protect food from a risk of contamination, failing to put in place adequate procedures to control pests, and failing to effectively implement food safety controls.
He was fined £2,460 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £1,056. The council was also awarded the full costs of bringing the prosecution of £2,402.49. The total Daniels must pay is £6098.49.
Councillor Mandy Owen, executive member for environment, said: “The standards found at this café were totally unacceptable and clearly put customers at risk. Mr Daniels should never have allowed the café to have got into this state.
“I am grateful for the swift and robust action taken by our environmental health officers to close the premises to remove food safety risks and for putting the matter before the court.
“This case illustrates once again the vital work of the council’s public protection service in protecting the public from unacceptable risks to their health, safety and wellbeing.”