Play centre equipment was 'sanitised once a month'

Fun Valley in Derby received a low food hygiene rating following an inspection. Stock image

Equipment at an indoor play area in Derby was "only sanitised on a monthly basis", a council report has shown.

Fun Valley, in Shaftesbury Street South, was inspected in November and received a rating of one out of five, meaning major improvement is necessary.

Derby City Council, which released the full inspection report on Wednesday in response to a Freedom of Information request, said the rating will remain until a reinspection.

A spokesperson at Fun Valley said they recognised the report and have since made significant improvements.

In the initial report, council inspectors raised a number of concerns around food storage, cleaning arrangements and a lack of hot water in the kitchen's washbasin.

A spokesman for Fun Valley said they had made significant improvements since

The report said an employee told the inspector that play equipment was cleaned on a "daily basis" but only with a "damp cloth" and would only "sanitise equipment on a monthly basis".

The inspector said: "This is not acceptable as a damp cloth would not kill any harmful viruses or bacteria and will only spread any potential bacteria or viruses around the play area.

"You must ensure you use a suitable product to kill harmful bacteria and viruses when cleaning the equipment on a daily basis."

Inspectors also said there was "inadequate separation between raw foods and ready to eat foods" within fridges and the freezer.

Officers said they found defrosted raw sausages sitting directly on top of a packet of bread rolls, and raw eggs were also stored on the top shelf of the fridge above ready to eat food.

Although surfaces were being cleaned, they were "not being sanitised", according to the inspection.

Improvements made

The company, which also has locations in Leicester, Nottingham and Bolton, said they did not dispute the report, adding significant improvements have since been made, and they are awaiting a new inspection.

A spokesperson said: "The council highlighted a number of issues that needed improving.

"They gave us a list of things to do and we have done that.

"We are confident another inspection will highlight these improvements and increase our score. It is very important to us that we have a high mark."

A spokesperson for Derby City Council said: "Since the initial inspection in November 2024, officers have revisited the premises to ensure the identified issues have been addressed.

"Regardless of any improvements made, a business will retain its original food hygiene rating until its next routine inspection, unless it applies for and completes a rescore inspection, as per national policy."