The Crown Inn in Whitchurch given one-star hygiene rating

A HISTORIC pub has been handed a one-star food hygiene rating following a recent inspection.

The Crown Inn in Whitchurch, near Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth, was inspected on June 19, with old rodent droppings and a range of structural issues among the concerns raised by the inspector.

During the visit, three rodent droppings were found in the dry store area, although the inspector noted there were no other signs of current rodent activity and believed the droppings may have been missed from an earlier infestation.

The pub had a pest control contract in place, and rodent monitoring boxes were present in the kitchen.

As a precaution, staff agreed to keep the dry store area closed off, as it was not being used for food storage.

The inspector also found that a fridge used to store “high-risk” food was operating at 13°C, well above the safe limit of below 8°C.

The report stated that the fridge had been “accidentally adjusted in the wrong direction” and was already known to be running too warm.

The inspection revealed further issues, including a lack of hot running water at the kitchen hand basin and washing-up sinks due to a fault with a water pipe.

Several parts of the kitchen and utility area were not adequately protected from pests, with large gaps under an external door, holes in walls, and a missing loft hatch in the kitchen.

The utility area, used for food storage and washing up, was described as being in poor condition, with damp-affected walls, a strong smell of damp, and a worn concrete floor.

The window behind the sink was also found to be cracked.

Despite these issues, the inspector noted that the pub was planning to upgrade the area, including covering the walls and floor, installing new cladding, and replacing the flooring.

Some areas were identified as being in need of a deep clean, including the floor in the cellar which had been affected by a blocked drain.

The inspector added that although paperwork had been completed, the business was producing food in a "poorly maintained environment."

A spokesperson for the business said that when they took on the property, they had the task of a full refurbishment, with the building having previously operated as an Indian takeaway.

They said that the area where chest freezers are stored and washing up takes place is still under refurbishment, adding: “this unfortunately, is graded alongside our kitchen, and does not allow for us to obtain a higher grade, along with waiting for repairs to our hot water system which has now been completed.”

“How food management, handling and record keeping were all, and still are, at the expected standard and we are working hard with the environmental health team to overcome the structural issues in the storage area to improve our rating," they added.

“We already had a schedule of work in place that is consistent with the advice from our EHO.

“Our rating reflects the structural issues that we inherited with the lease, and does not reflect the safety or quality of the food we produce, cook and serve.

“Our customers, both regulars and new to Whitchurch, appreciate the huge strides we have made with the building and business, and our ongoing efforts.”