Successful prosecution of Gaterell’s Butchers in Felpham
Arun District Council has successfully prosecuted Gaterell’s Butchers in Felpham for a number of food safety offences.
The prosecution was taken following an inspection of the premises on 17 June 2016. During the inspection an Environmental Health Officer found out-of-date, high-risk ready-to-eat foods, food not being stored appropriately and a poor standard of cleaning throughout the premises.
The owner of the business, Terry Gaterell, pleaded guilty to failing to implement the food safety controls set out within his business and keeping the premises clean at Worthing Magistrates’ Court on March 4, 2018.
He was also convicted of a further charge of failing to keep foods in appropriate conditions.
Mr Gaterell was fined a total of £750 for the three offences plus an additional £100 for a previous offence relating to out-of-date foods. He was ordered to pay a £60 victim surcharge and costs of £4,000.
Officers from the Council’s Environmental Health team have been working with Mr Gaterell for a number of years in order to try and improve the food safety standards at the premises and have provided advice, guidance and free training to the owner and staff at the business. However, despite this, poor standards were found which posed a food safety risk to customers.
Councillor Stephen Haymes, Arun District Council’s Cabinet Member for Technical Services, said: “Arun District Council officers always try to work with businesses, offering advice and guidance but here there were clear breaches of the law and a risk to public health. This was despite numerous warnings and a previous prosecution in 2015.”
Arun District Council officers are continuing to work with the business to ensure standards improve and are maintained in the future.