Report unveils hygiene failings at pub near Bishop Auckland
The Ship Inn at Middlestone, on Low Row, Middlestone, was told major improvement was necessary following an inspection on November 27 last year.
The traditional country pub was ranked ‘major improvement necessary’ in its management of food safety and ‘improvement necessary’ for both hygienic food handling and the cleanliness and condition of facilities and buildings.
At the time, a spokesperson for the pub said they planned to remove obsolete fixed equipment, which was “preventing deep cleaning by lack of access”, and hope to return to four or five-star.
Now, Durham County Council has released the full report from the hygiene visit, which has unearthed a string of “dirty” areas and equipment at the site and “unsatisfactory” standards of cleanliness throughout.
A key issue was raw chicken, bacon, and fish being stored next to milk, mint sauce, and applesauce (ready-to-eat foods) in the fridge, presenting a risk of cross-contamination.
High-risk food contact surfaces were “not being adequately disinfected”, and non-food items, including medication, were being stored in the kitchen on top of food equipment.
There was a gap under the cellar door creating a pest entry point into the premises, which inspectors said must be filled or covered with a solid material.
Tin foil was being used on surfaces beneath fryers and on shelving in the kitchen – but foil should not be used to line equipment or shelving.
The wire wool used in the pub was also found to be damaged.
The following areas in particular were found to be in a dirty condition:
- In between shelving units (shelving reorganisation is required to allow for adequate cleaning)
- Flooring in the cupboard where food equipment is stored, between freezers one and two, and beneath the freezers
- Walls/floors beneath cooking equipment, beneath cooking equipment and beneath the undercounter fridge
- External surfaces of doors to cupboards
- The pizza oven
- Electrical sockets and switches and the extraction canopy
Meanwhile, the floor, walls, ceiling, shelving, and door in the cellar was found to be dirty, as well as the general shelving in the bar area.
Other “dirty” areas included the microwave, where there was also some rusting, food containers, “badly worn” chopping boards, containers storing utensils, fryers, a griddle, a metal sieve, and the blade of the bench top tin opener.
There were also damaged trays in the freezer and split door seals to the under-counter fridge.
Other dirty areas in the report include the under-counter fridge and its seals and the inside and outside of freezer two, plus the inside of freezer one.
There were also several areas in disrepair, including the cellar floor, bare wooden edging to the kitchen door, a rusting shelving unit, and a cover missing to the back of the under-counter fridge.
In terms of confidence in management, there were some gaps in the management pack, and the allergen matrix was not dated and some items were missing.
No temperature records were being kept for cooked, reheated, or hot-held foods. Although temperatures were being taken, they “should be recorded”, the report said.
Containers that were originally used to store raw chicken were being reused throughout the kitchen – and as the business does not have a means of heat treating the containers, inspectors said this must be stopped.
There was also water pooling to the rear of the undercounter fridge.
The food safety officer said the business must ensure cooked foods, such as bolognaise, are not kept for extended periods. It is recommended that foods are dated ‘day of production +2’.
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Despite the rating, The Ship continues to boast rave reviews online, and currently holds a 4.6 star rating on Google Reviews.
One customer said: “Just took my boys here for a lovely lunch. The food was amazing and the lady behind the bar and the locals were all really friendly. Looking forward to our next visit.”
Another added: “Absolutely blown away by this local find. Fabulous hospitality, delicious home-cooked food and so reasonably priced.
The Northern Echo contacted The Ship for comment.