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Heavy fine for West Kirby
ice cream sellers
THE owners of an ice cream concession
in West Kirby have been fined £10,000 by Wirral Magistrates Court after pleading
guilty to 10 breaches of food safety and hygiene regulations.
It was on 29 June 2015 when officers from Wirral Council's Environmental Health
team carried out a routine food hygiene inspection of Turners Ice Cream, Marine
Lake Building, South Parade, West Kirby.
During this visit, officers found dirty conditions, dog hairs throughout,
evidence of mouse activity, and other poor practices. The business closed
voluntarily due to the imminent risk of injury to health.
The premises opened 2 days later when the imminent risk of injury to health
had been removed and officers served the company, Reliance Marine (Wirral)
Limited, with several food hygiene Improvement Notices in order to secure
compliance with food safety legislation.
On 10 August 2016, the company pleaded guilty to 10 offences under the Food
Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 which included; failure to protect
food against contamination and failure to ensure that all equipment with which
food comes into contact was effectively cleaned.
The case was adjourned for sentencing until 28 September when the Company
received a fine of £10,000. It was also ordered to pay costs of £2,940.42 to the
Council and a victim surcharge of £120.
Cllr Bernie Mooney, Cabinet member for Environment, said:- "It was clear
to officers that the conditions and practices within this premises posed a risk
to the health of Wirral residents and also visitors to Wirral as the premises is
located in a very popular tourist location. Whilst Wirral Council supports local
businesses, the conditions and practices found at this premises were totally
unacceptable and posed a real risk to their customers. In order to protect
consumers, officers had no choice but to take formal action to deal with these
serious breaches of legislation. We have a responsibility to make our high
streets healthier, safer and fairer for consumers and businesses."
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