MONMOUTHSHIRE County Council has secured a prosecution of a local food business following investigation by environmental health officers.

Richard Eklof, the proprietor of Wigmore’s Bakery in St Mary’s Street, Monmouth, pleaded guilty to five breaches of the food safety regulations at a hearing on Friday 17th July.  

Offences included failing to maintain the premises and equipment in clean condition, failing to maintain the premises in a suitable state of repair, failure to maintain food at the correct temperature and failing to maintain a supply of hot water at the hand wash basins and sinks.  

Magistrates at Newport Magistrates Court fined Mr Eklof a total of £2,000 and ordered him to pay £1,000 costs.

Councillor Giles Howard, Monmouthshire’s cabinet member with responsibility for public protection said: “The Environmental Health department will always work with food businesses to maintain standards and protect public health.  

“However, we will not hesitate to use our statutory powers when conditions are found to be poor and businesses have not responded to our advice.”