'Improvements made' at the Golden Lion in Southwick after 'shock' food hygiene rating of one
Country pub makes changes after visit from food inspector
Improvements have been made at a popular Hampshire pub after a visit from the food hygiene inspector led to a “shock” rating of one.
The Golden Lion in Southwick was visited by the Food Standards Agency on September 17 with the main issue being the condition of an outside building that was being used as dry storage.
Inspectors found that a “deep clean” was required throughout the dry store including floors, walls and shelving while some parts of the structure would need to be replaced.
The report stated: “Much of the shelving is metal and is rusted so can no longer be effectively cleaned. The walls in places are in poor condition with the surfaces flaking. This is particularly apparent around the doorway and behind the work surface. Some of your shelves are made from MDF which is visibly grubby and cannot be effectively cleaned.”
In response to the issues raised, work is scheduled to line the walls of the building with the inspector already returning to the pub and telling them they are happy with the changes that have been made.
The dry store was not the only issue raised with the cleanliness of the cellar and a damaged section of flooring in the kitchen also flagged. Further cleaning was also listed as being required in the kitchen behind and beneath equipment and around pipework and window vents.
The report also stated that there was insect debris on the floor of the cellar with a recommendation to ensure they are removed when cleaning to accurately determine if the “pest access is an ongoing problem”.
In regards to food storage, it was highlighted by the inspectors that some food in the fridge was beyond the use by date, including five packs of bone marrow melt. A number of ready to eat food items had also been kept for longer than three days with staff stating they accessed food by looking at it.
The inspector noted in the report: “it is not possible to determine whether food is safe to eat solely by its appearance or smell. This is why a robust stock control and date-labelling system is essential.”
Speaking to The News, a spokesperson for The Golden Lion said: “It was a bit of a shock but the inspector came back in and told us what she wanted us to do and how she wanted us to go about it.
“She then visited last week and she ticked off all of the things she asked us to do, apart from the major works (on the outside building), and she was happy with that. Once the works are complete we will be reinspected before Christmas.”
Winchester City Council confirmed that the inspection report from the visit on September 17 is no longer a “reflective picture of current standards” due to “improvements made” since the visit.