Kings Arms

Following our recent food hygiene inspection, we have taken immediate corrective action to address the issues identified and have implemented significant improvements to our kitchen operations, cleaning standards and internal procedures. Staff Accountability and Procedures Our investigation identified instances where cleaning, food labelling and other required checks had been signed off by staff as completed when they had not been undertaken to the required standard. These matters have been formally addressed through an independent external HR company, with disciplinary action taken. Management checks and verification procedures have also been strengthened to ensure greater accountability and compliance going forward. Cleaning and Food Safety An extensive deep clean of the kitchen, refrigeration units and equipment has been completed, including beneath and behind units. Cleaning schedules have been reviewed, with additional management oversight introduced. Food labelling, stock rotation and date-checking procedures have been improved immediately. Food preparation areas have been reorganised, with designated stations and chopping boards to ensure appropriate separation of raw and ready-to-eat foods. Fresh vegetables have always been washed as part of our preparation procedures, and these have now been expanded to specifically include pea shoots and other loose salad products. Food storage has also been reorganised, with opened products stored appropriately in refrigeration and unopened stock kept in designated storage areas. Pest Control We maintain an ongoing professional pest control contract. As acknowledged in the inspection report, the previous pest issue appeared to have been resolved, with no evidence of current rodent activity identified. We have also engaged our pest control contractor to introduce additional measures to address flying insects, which can be particularly challenging given our rural location and surrounding fields. Menu and Allergen Management Recognising the limitations of our kitchen space, we have reduced our winter menu to simplify food preparation, improve efficiency and minimise cross-contamination risks. We offer menu options prepared without certain ingredients to accommodate dietary preferences. However, due to the size of our kitchen and shared preparation facilities, we do not operate an allergen-free environment and cannot guarantee the absence of allergen cross-contact. This is communicated clearly to customers, alongside accurate allergen information, to allow them to make informed decisions. Moving Forward We acknowledge that the standards identified during the inspection were not acceptable and recognise our responsibility as a business to ensure these are consistently maintained. The corrective measures undertaken, alongside strengthened management oversight and staff accountability, demonstrate our commitment to preventing these issues from recurring. We are committed to maintaining high food hygiene standards and intend to request a further inspection to demonstrate the improvements made. The Kings Arms, Eccleshall