The Bun Penny, Lee-on-the-Solent: Pub where mouse droppings were found in kitchen scores new food hygiene rating

A pub that was handed the lowest food hygiene rating after mouse droppings were found in the kitchen has now scooped the top score.

The Bun Penny was hit with the zero rating at the start of July after inspectors discovered a series of health and safety failures.

Food was still being prepared and served despite multiple mouse droppings and urine found throughout the premises – including inside equipment and among crockery – on July 6.

A month later, the popular watering hole has been reinspected and awarded a five-star rating.

Cllr Dan Hayes said the zero rating was “concerning” due to the “popularity of this well-loved local”.

He said he hoped the inspection would ensure the quality of food handling would improve “in the near future”, which has now occurred.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service after the pub was handed the new rating, the Conservative for Lee West said: “It’s excellent to see that the Bun Penny has made a brilliant turnaround to overturn their hygiene rating.

“It just goes to show how amazing our local businesses are in Lee and how they care about having their best foot forward for residents and visitors.”

Following the publication of the inspection report, the owners of the pub explained that staff were “complacent” and “standards dropped way below what was expected”.

This was because the management team had “been away from the business”, adding that the conditions found at the time were “not typical or normal”.

Since then, the pub has been “thoroughly cleaned” with procedures in place to ensure it is maintained.

Inspectors said that three main areas required “urgent improvement” – hygienic food handling, cleanliness and condition of facilities and building, and management of food safety.

Pest-control contractors had been attending the pub and had reported activity since April, but advice on proofing entry points and clearing old droppings was not acted on, inspectors said.

The owners said staff have now filled holes in kitchen areas, fitted cladding over broken tiles, installed a new cellar manhole cover, placed mesh over air bricks, refitted doors to remove gaps, and covered drains in the kitchen and cellar.

A spokesperson alluded to renovating the pub, adding that a new management system has been implemented.