Filthy conditions lead to prosecution for Cleveleys restaurant

The manager of a restaurant in Cleveleys has been sentenced after admitting a string of food hygiene offences.

Angela Lui, also known as Angela Chang, the manager of Great Fortune House on Victoria Road West, pleaded guilty to eleven offences under section 19 of The Food Safety & Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 at Lancashire Magistrates Court, sitting at Preston on 14 August 2024.

The matter was referred to Preston Crown Court for sentencing, due to the seriousness of the case. On the 22 November 2024, Angela Lui was sentenced to a 12-month community order and 180 hours unpaid work. Angela Lui was ordered to pay a victim surcharge and Wyre Council were awarded full costs of £3,540.68.

The food business owner Fortune Coming Limited had been dissolved by the time of the hearing so Wyre Council proceedings against the Company had to be dropped.

The hygiene offences came to light following one of the regular routine inspections by Wyre Council on 8 and 9 September 2022.

Council officers found extensive numbers of mouse droppings throughout the premises on floors, stored items, work surfaces and equipment. The premises were dirty and greasy and there were several potential pest entry points into the premises.

There were risks of contamination of food and surfaces from flies in the premises, dirty cloths covering food, food stored in bin liners, plates stored under the fly killer. There was a lack of effective monitoring and safe systems of work and staff were inadequately trained.

There had been a history of poor conditions at the restaurant and takeaway and the business owner had previously received a caution. Angela Lui had managed the business for many years.

A hygiene prohibition order was made against Ms. Angela Fung Kuen Lui Chang, prohibiting her from being involved in managing any food establishment in the future.

The prosecution and prohibition send a clear message to managers of food businesses that they have a responsibility for food safety and compliance with the food hygiene regulations.

Councillor Lynne Bowen, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Health and Community Engagement said: “Wyre Council takes food hygiene very seriously and if premises don’t comply, we have no qualms about taking action whenever and wherever necessary.

“I’d like to encourage members of the public to check food hygiene ratings before eating out or shopping for food. All food businesses such as restaurants, takeaways, shops or mobile food outlets across Wyre are visited and inspected by the council regularly.

‘’After each inspection, those who sell food directly to the public are awarded a food hygiene rating. You can check the food hygiene ratings of every food business in Wyre at ratings.food.gov.uk’’.