A food business operator, Spirit Group Limited, has been fined £17,500 for offences committed under food hygiene and safety legislation.

The company received the fine at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today (21st June 2007) after pleading guilty to seven offences.

The Tickled Trout pub at 27 Lanark Road, Edinburgh was visited by officers of Services for Communities on 5th September 2006 in response to a complaint made by a member of the public concerned about conditions in the pub's kitchen.

During the subsequent inspection of the premises, officers observed that the kitchen and equipment were in dirty conditions, there were no soap or hand towels provided to the wash hand basin in the kitchen, there were mouldy strawberries stored inside a refrigerator in the kitchen, and areas of the premises were in disrepair. For example, a plate had been glued to the kitchen wall in order to cover a potential rodent access hole.

In addition there were inadequate provisions made for the storage and disposal of food waste, foods were not being suitably protected from risks of contamination (for example, garlic bread portions were being stored in an open cardboard box), staff involved in the handling and preparation of high risk foods were not suitably trained in food hygiene and safety matters, and food safety management systems based on the HACCP principles were not being maintained.

At that time immediate action was taken by management at the premises, under officers' supervision, to make improvements and to comply with food hygiene and safety requirements.

A programme of revisits was undertaken to The Tickled Trout until a satisfactory level of compliance was attained and confidence in management had improved to control risks associated with food safety.

On considering the incident, and the past history of compliance with food safety requirements at this premises, officers gathered evidence and reported the matters to the Procurator Fiscal's office.

During the court hearing today Sheriff Elizabeth Jarvie found Spirit Group Limited guilty of seven offences under food hygiene and safety legislation and issued fines of £2,500 per offence, totalling £17,500.

Councillor Robert Aldridge, Executive Member for Environment, said: "I am glad to say that the majority of food businesses in the city adhere to the required food hygiene standards. However, this case should stand as a clear warning to all restaurants and catering establishments that we will not hesitate to take legal action in order to protect the health of consumers. The Council's Environmental Health staff rigorously enforce food safety regulations to ensure that any food purchased in the city is safeguarded by the highest possible standards. We are grateful that the Sheriff reflected the severity of the offence with the fine imposed."