Poundworld has received a significant fine after pleading guilty to health and safety and food hygiene breaches relating to a store it operated in Croydon. The company failed to ensure that the premises were kept in a clean condition and free from pests. They further failed to protect food products from contamination rendering them unfit for human consumption, as well as failing to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its employees.

An inspection at the Croydon store identified that a mouse infestation had spread across the shop floor and into storage areas. The staffroom and stockroom had no heating and the goods lift was out of service, forcing staff to carry the pallet pump truck and approximately 3,500 boxes of stock up and down stairs each week.

Poundworld pleaded guilty to various breaches including one count of breaching section 2(1) and 33(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974; one count of breaching regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999; and to five counts of breaching regulation 19(1) and (2) of the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013.  

George Green’s Regulatory and Licensing Partner, James Lowe, stated “that food business operators must ensure that they do not take short cuts with food safety, hygiene and the health and safety of their employees. Magistrates’ Courts and Crown Courts are now regularly imposing substantial fines on those convicted of these offences. It is important that robust systems and procedures are in place to manage all regulatory aspects of the business to ensure that compliance is achieved.”

If you should have any questions about your legal obligations in relation to food safety law or health and safety law and need a specialist solicitor, call James Lowe, our Regulatory and Licensing Partner on 07833 240 400 for advice and assistance.