Poor hygiene leads to £54,000 fine

26 Jan 2012

A fine of £54,000 has been imposed on the owners of a Greenwich restaurant which repeatedly breached food hygiene laws.

The Peninsula Chinese Restaurant was closed down in April last year after environmental health officials found mouse droppings among food packets, next to plates and inside a roll of cling film.

Greenwich Council said the unannounced inspection at the site on Bugsby's Way also uncovered a thick layer of grease on the floor beneath the cookers.

There were mouldy vegetables on the floor of the walk-in fridge and no paper towels at the kitchen sinks, making it difficult for staff to maintain basic hygiene standards.

Woolwich Crown Court heard that the restaurant's owners Crestdane Limited had previously been fined £13,500 for similar offences in February 2010.

In the latest case, the company pleaded guilty to 18 breaches of food hygiene regulations.

The fine of £54,000 is the highest ever imposed on a business in Greenwich. The company was also ordered to pay £2,600 in costs and was banned from running restaurants in the future.

Copyright Press Association 2012