Hoddlesden hotel prosecuted over food hygiene

7:26pm Monday 12th May 2008

by Andy Bellard A LEADING East Lancashire country hotel and restaurant has been accused of food hygiene offences.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has taken action against the Rosins, Treacle Row, Pickup Bank, Hoddlesden, following an inspection on October 23.

A total of nine allegations have been made against the owners of the 15 bedroom hotel, the Darwen engineering firm WEC Group, of Britannia House, Junction Street, Darwen.

Blackburn magistrates heard that WEC Group faced nine allegations including failing to ensure food placed on the market was safe and fit for public consumption in that it was contaminated by mould and flies; offering for sale prosciutto crudo,' Italian ham, six weeks after its use by date; failing to put into place, implement and maintain a hazard analysis critical control point; failing to ensure that raw materials and ingredients were stored in an appropriate condition; and failing to ensure fittings and equipment that food came into contact with were constructed of such materials and kept in a state of repair that allowed them to be kept clean and where necessary to be disinfected.

The Rosins was built in the late 17th to early 18th century and was originally named the Duke of Wellington.

It is thought that the name changed to Old Rosins when a group of fiddlers used to play live music and used to oil their bows with resin known as Rosin.

A spokesperson of WEC Group Ltd, said: "During the routine inspection a number of issues were highlighted.

"On receipt of the report all the required actions detailed in it were addressed and dealt with in accordance with the timescales set, and subsequently checked during a re-inspection.

"WEC appreciate that as owners of the establishment we have a duty to ensure that our business adheres to all relevant food hygiene legislation.

"In light of this investigation we have appointed a new general manager at the Rosins who has put in place new systems.

"Finally both WEC and the new management at the Rosins want to assure all our customers that any improvements set out by the Environmental Health Officer have been addressed and the standards they view as acceptable will be maintained and we regard food hygiene as paramount to our business."

The case was adjourned until June 6.