Latest news with #FishOnTheQuay
BBC News
26-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Fish on the Quay in Maldon pictures show extent of rat mess
Rat droppings were found next to drinks, a pizza oven and inside food packaging at an infested seafood restaurant, the BBC can also discovered smeared rodent faeces along the inner wall of a marquee at Fish on the Quay in Maldon, details emerged after Maldon District Council secured a court order to shut the venue down on restaurant did not respond when approached for comment, but a manager previously vowed to reopen. It was inspected on 13 June after a customer tipped the local authority off about food safety and hygiene concerns.A member of staff "quickly dashed to the kitchen" after spotting two inspectors arrive, documents obtained by the BBC showed. It was believed rats were nesting in sheds used for product storage and entering the kitchen via a gap in the door."Both showed signs of considerable rat activity with numerous droppings noted throughout and damage to food packaging," the report said, referring to the the kitchen, inspectors found a "considerable" number of droppings by a washing up area that stored clean equipment and were found next to condiments, on top of a jar of honey and on a shelf below a pizza oven, as well as in storage space for drinks and glasses. "On top of the fridge was a plastic mesh storage tray with dry foods present," one inspector noted. "As I lifted the tray, fresh rat droppings were falling out and when I removed the tray, rat droppings were present all over the top of the fridge. "In the mesh storage tray I could see a rat dropping inside food packaging."They said it presented an imminent risk to health, branding the state of the kitchen "extremely dangerous and completely unacceptable". The presence of rats at hospitality venues is treated as a health risk due to diseases they can pass to bacteria including salmonella, E. coli and leptospira - which can cause Weil's disease - can be carried by the rodents, which frequently defecate and on the Quay is also home to a pub and a bed and breakfast, both of which are affected by the closure order.A council spokesman said: "We continue to work with the business to support their reopening when the issues have been satisfactorily addressed." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Sun
19-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Historic seafood restaurant seen on Antiques Roadshow and Lovejoy forced to shut down after ‘terrible' rat infestation
AN HISTORIC sea food restaurant has been closed down court action after a rat infestation was discovered in the building. The infestation in the grade II listed building in Maldon, Essex, was discovered by district council hygiene officers. 3 3 Maldon District Council took court action against Fish on the Quay which is located on Church Street. Some parts of the historic building, which is used today as a restaurant, pub and a bed and breakfast, date back to the 15th century. Hygiene officers visited the business after receiving a complaint and discovered a "horrendous" rat infestation. Rodents at the restaurant were reportedly discovered licking tubs of honey and leaving droppings in the kitchen. The infestation was said to be in the venue's kitchen, bar and cellar spaces and posed an 'imminent risk to the public." After visiting on June 13 inspectors photographed rat droppings within the condiments, on top of a fridge in a kitchen storage area, in packaging, and behind a freezer in a storage shed. The business has been closed until inspectors are satisfied that the issue has been addressed, pest control are reportedly on site on a daily basis. Staff at Fish on the Quay, which is owned and operated by The Jolly Sailor Ltd, are working with the council to fix the problem. A manager has vowed to reopen the venue in Hythe Quay, telling the BBC "everything is great." Council leader Richard Siddall said however that "incredibly serious offences" had been identified a the venue. Shocking moment pack of huge RATS swarm popular McDonald's The council took the restaurant to court to apply for a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order which was granted. The order means that the business cannot reopen until health risks are removed. Council officers are reportedly working with staff to ensure the safety of visitors and neighbours following the discovery of the rodent infestation. According to Sidall an "imminent risk to public health" had been identified. The rat infestation on the premises was identified as ongoing and extensive. Fish on the Quay has won several awards including a Diners' Choice award from OpenTable in 2022. 3 It also appeared on TV several times most notably when an episode of Lovejoy was filmed there in January 1992. It has also appeared on Lawless heart in 2001 and The Antiques Road show in 2007. The historic building was once a Customs house keeping an eye on boats going back and fourth up the River Blackwater. Currently there is a sign outside the historic building reading: "We are closed! Sorry for the inconvenience." Cllr Richard Siddall, Leader of Maldon District Council, said; 'Our officers took swift action against this business as soon as it became clear there was an imminent risk to public health. 'It is absolutely vital that food businesses are kept clean and in good repair in line with stringent food safety legislation. "A failure to do so could potentially result in terrible consequences for the public and we will always take action against any owners not abiding by these laws. 'Whilst these are incredibly serious offences, we will work with the operator to improve the standards of cleanliness and make sure that they comply food safety standards before they reopen.'
BBC News
19-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Fish on the Quay in Maldon closed by council over rat infestation
A seafood restaurant has been shut down after a widespread rat infestation was found at its on the Quay was visited by hygiene officers from Maldon District Council, who took court action on leader Richard Siddall said "incredibly serious offences" had been identified at the venue in the Essex contacted by the BBC, a manager vowed to reopen on Friday and insisted "everything is great". The restaurant in Hythe Quay - which is also home to a pub and a bed and breakfast - is "committed to sourcing the freshest ingredients", according to its website.A Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order, made at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court, meant health risks must be removed before reopening. Council officers have been working with the business, which also offers a bed and breakfast service, to protect visitors, staff and nearby a Maldon District Independent, said there had been an "imminent risk to public health".He stressed having an "active and widespread" rat infestation could have had "terrible consequences" for customers."Whilst these are incredibly serious offences, we will work with the operator to improve the standards of cleanliness and make sure that they comply with food safety standards before they reopen," the council leader added. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
