Dirty conditions in a pub kitchen put public health at risk, a court heard.
Great Horkesley-based Lion Leisure was fined £12,500 by Colchester magistrates yesterday, after its director Michael Burgess admitted five hygiene charges relating to the White Hart, St Osyth.
The Mill Street watering hole is now under new management and its kitchen has passed an inspection.
Margaret Geale, prosecuting, told the court two environmental health officers from Tendring District Council had closed down the pub's food operation following a visit on June 18.
She said the pair became convinced the kitchen was an "imminent risk to public health" after finding it strewn with discarded pizza bases, gravy and salad.
Marc Brown, mitigating, said until the day before the inspectors arrived, Lion Leisure had left the running of the kitchen to a self-employed chef.
But due to bosses' own hygiene concerns, he was asked to leave "under fairly hostile terms" and the company's own executive head chef arrived to take over.
He added the fine and £1,000 costs order imposed would force the newly-established firm, which is yet to make a profit, to go into liquidation.
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Published Thursday, February 17, 2005
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