Wine bar fined £14k for hygiene breaches

Magistrates sitting at Doncaster Crown Court fined the firm over the breaches

A wine bar and coffee shop has been fined £14,000 for breaching food hygiene regulations.

Otto Coffee and Wine Bar, in Sprotbrough, Doncaster, admitted eight charges, including improper food handling and failing to implement sufficient procedures to control pests.

Doncaster magistrates heard that when council inspectors visited in November 2023, a staff member confirmed there were rats in the building when asked.

Speaking to the BBC after the hearing, a spokesperson for Otto said: "We were badly let down by our previous pest contractors and we are confident these issues are far behind us."

The court heard the offences, dated 3 November 2023, related to improper storage of wrapping materials risking contamination, failure to maintain food preparation surfaces in good condition and inadequate cleaning of equipment.

The business also failed to ensure adequate procedures were in place to control pests, failed to ensure the prompt removal of food waste and other refuse and failed to store ingredients in appropriate conditions.

'Problems addressed'

The court heard the business had taken considerable steps to address the problems raised and had hired a pest control firm before the issue was raised by officers.

The pest company acknowledged that it could have done more, the court heard.

As well as the fine, the business was ordered to pay £6,118.71 towards the costs of the case.

A spokesperson for Otto said they had worked hard to address the issues raised and that the initial pest control company had been reported to the industry body by their new contractor.

"We would like to thank Doncaster Council for their help and guidance and the judge for recognising our hard work and effort.

"We look forward to a positive future and serving our customers," they added.

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