Zee Convenience Store Ltd has been fined for several food hygiene offences at its premises on 123-125 Church Street, Blackpool.



The company must pay £2000 for each of the six charges it faced under Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013, costs of £420 and a victim surcharge of £170, totalling a hefty £12,590 on the 16 August 2017.

The case against the company was proved in the absence of the defendant, as no representative for the company appeared at court.

The business had been visited several times between August and November 2016, where sets of hygiene improvement notices were served on the company and the management.

During the initial visit in August, Blackpool Council Officers found that the shop was extremely filthy.

Dirt was on the floor throughout, the toilet and washing facilities were grimy and bird feathers were on shelving. Fruits and vegetables on display for sale were rotting and mouldy, while cucumbers were reduced to mush.

In September, Council Officers discovered that the premises were still in a shocking condition. A curdled bottle of milk was found in the rear sink as well as empty cans. The stock room was piled with rubbish, and again the toilet facilities remained filthy.

The same bottle of putrefied milk was still in the sink in October, and the store was still dirty.
Cllr Gillian Campbell, Deputy Leader Blackpool Council, said: “It is shocking that despite repeat visits the store did not deal with the disgusting state of the premises.

“It is right that the court recognised the seriousness of the offences by handing out such a weighty fine.

“Residents and visitors should not be exposed to potential harm and we will do everything we can to protect them. This judgement sends out a clear message to other business owners that there will be a heavy cost for flouting the law and putting people in the town at risk.

“We would recommend that people check the Food Standards Agency website which helps consumers choose where to eat or shop for food by giving them information about the hygiene standards in restaurants, takeaways and food shops. www.ratings.food.gov.uk”