Council run restaurant had mice issue, report finds

The results of the Denton Lounge’s food hygiene inspection, carried out in February, were published last week prompting the venue’s management to launch an appeal.

The results of the Denton Lounge’s food hygiene inspection, carried out in February, were published last week, prompting the venue’s management to launch an appeal.

The latest inspection took place on Tuesday and saw the restaurant re-graded as a four.

Damian Wilkins, manager of The Denton, said: “We were disappointed when our score dropped but now have all the quality elements in place that we, as a team, pride ourselves on and are thrilled we have been re-graded since our appeal and the score has increased.”

February’s report showed evidence of mice at the time of the visit, although the issue was not extensive.

Gary Cushing, environmental health manager, said: “An unannounced revisit was carried out on Tuesday by two senior environmental health officers and no signs of mice were found in the kitchen area. Good food hygiene practices and procedures were found and the public can eat there with confidence. The situation is being monitored closely by management to ensure that there are no further pest problems.”

The Denton Lounge was not the only restaurant in the town to fall foul of a food hygiene inspection.

The manager of China Palace, in Chapel Road, has offered to show concerned customers around the restaurant’s kitchen following its drop from a four to a zero.

Victor Hang, manager of China Palace, said: “It’s common sense if you have zero on your hygiene rating that’s all people are going to see.

“I have been getting a lot of phone calls. If you are unsure about eating here I’m happy to show people the kitchen and they can decide.”

Mr Hang was unable to attend the initial inspection and said the main reason for such a significant drop was the restaurant’s inability to produce the relevant paperwork, as it was locked in his office.

Inspectors have asked the restaurant to add extra hand basins, have a general tidy- up, fill in gaps underneath doors and arrange for a pest control contract.

“The inspectors said Worthing has a problem with mice or pests,” said Mr Hang. “We sorted the contract out straight away for obvious reasons.”

Mr Hang said the restaurant would appeal the decision but would have to wait three months for a follow-up inspection to take place.