Pontins Ltd Fined £7,000
North Sefton Magistrates' Court (Southport) 29-5-2008

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Pontins Ltd

Shore Road, Southport, Merseyside UK

Pontins Ltd were facing three charges brought by Sefton Council however one charge has been withdrawn.

The charges are:-

Failure to maintain Food Premises in a clean condition in accordance with article 4(2) (4)

Failure to maintain food-processing equipment in a clean and hygienic condition

An application was made by the defence advocate to amend the name of the defendants to Crofton Ltd. (Pontins Ltd sold the Trade and assets to Golf 3 Ltd in March 2008, who have now been renamed to Pontins Ltd. The old Pontins Ltd is now renamed Crofton Ltd).

Guilty Pleas were entered on both counts.

The Advocate for Sefton Council said that Food Hygiene England 2006 require the Local Authority to enforce regulations relating to Food Premises. They have to be kept clean, and well maintained, equipment should be cleaned and disinfected as per the regulations.

On 24/09/07 a routine inspection was undertaken at Pontins in Southport. During this inspection the food preparation areas, equipment, floors, walls and bar areas were not up to the standard required. Paint in many areas was flaking off the walls, equipment was caked in grease and the floors were dirty with debris under the work counters. A ventilation canopy was running with grease. There were holes in the studded walls blocked up with blue cleaning cloths. There was sticky spillages on many surfaces. And in a ‘Bain Marie’ cold peas had been left in the unit overnight. There was a cracked washbasin and no soap in the washbasins behind the bar.

The Bench were handed a sheaf of photographs to illustrate the prosecutions’ case.

The findings were fed back to the Manager and the poor hygiene conditions were put down to poor management. Records go back to 1999, It appears there has been a continual lack of good management since then. In October 2007 the premises were revisited and the standard of cleaning has showed great improvement which has been maintained, the last inspection took place yesterday (28th May 2008).

Costs of £1764.26 are requested.


The Advocate for the defence agreed the costs.

In Autumn of last year conditions fell far short of the standard required. It is important that standards are now manifestly different and this improvement is being maintained.

Pontins have 8 centres around the UK and employ 1,500 people which increases to 3,000 in the peak season. 184 people are employed at Southport 154 of them seasonal.

Crofton has had no previous convictions of this kind. They are rigorous in ensuring their standards are high. Crofton Ltd has never found itself in Court before today.

A Guilty Plea has been entered at the first opportunity.

It is fair to say the defendant has co-operated with the Council there has been openness and transparency throughout these proceedings.

Crofton has worked hard to put hygiene standards into place. They now have a ‘Food Programme’, which will be adopted. STS Consultants have been retained Standards are being closely monitored and check sheets should be filled in on a daily basis. The Business is very disappointed at the standards that they inherited.

Steps have been taken since the inspection to put things right. Chartered Institute training has been given to employees from level 2 up to level 4 for the Managers. The Catering Manager now holds a level 4 Chartered Institute award. Over £1,000 has been spent on training.

Professional ‘deep cleaners’ were employed to raise the standards. This is an ongoing programme. Pipe works have been ‘capped’ floor and counters have been replaced. Structural works, pest proofing, and replacement of equipment has taken place. A New large walk-in freezer has been installed. In all £43,700 has been spent on the improvements.

Changes in ‘reporting systems’ have been implemented and a maintenance budget is available to the Manager.

Crofton handed a set of photographs to the Bench. These reflect the improvements to the areas that the previous photographs highlighted.

The Defence said that they were grateful to their learned colleagues for the ‘revisit by the inspection team and their acceptability of the improvements’. The Council Officers commented on the ‘upward trend’ on their last visit.

No effort has been spared. Crofton are committed to the continued improvement.

The Bench are satisfied that Crofton have taken all reasonable steps to rectify the problems. They accept that lack of proper management had an impact. They also know that Crofton has no previous actions of this kind against them.

A fine of £7,000 was imposed which takes into consideration the early guilty plea. Costs of £1,764.26 and victim surcharge of £15 also have to be paid.


BUT A GREAT PLACE TO PARTY!!!! EH GUYS?!!

i spoke to darren bellino and he said there lookin at the same time next year

there ya have it - cool

Glad i didnt eat hahaa

Glad i didnt eat hahaa

ye me 2 lol

yea but not as much as there was this yr it was rediculus

eat ha ha ha at the weekender huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuum

ewwwww!! i had food there (not sure how i managed it mind!!!) never again lol!!!

all i managed was half a chicken burger but it made me feel so much better altho i never wanna eat i always make sure i try n eat summut cuz u start 2 get weak n feel like shit other wise