Inspectors were left shocked by the appalling conditions discovered inside a corner shop in Wales, which had zero food hygiene standards. Anwar Murad, the operator of Springfield Stores in Wenvoe, faced legal action over 22 food hygiene violations at his convenience shop in the Vale of Glamorgan. During court proceedings at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, it was revealed that Murad attributed the unsanitary state of the shop to his son, asserting that he was “out of his depth” in managing the business.
The investigation into Springfield Stores was initiated following complaints from a concerned member of the public regarding the shop’s hygiene practices. Inspector Angela Coles made a shocking discovery during her initial visit in August 2022. The chiller in the shop was found to have a temperature of 21.5°C, well above the maximum permissible temperature of 8°C. Dairy and meat products, including burgers and sandwiches, were stored improperly. Furthermore, expired food items were mixed with fresh products, and the shop was riddled with cleanliness issues.
Despite being served with notices to rectify the hygiene concerns within two weeks, subsequent visits by Inspector Coles highlighted continued non-compliance. Murad failed to implement necessary improvements, and various violations persisted, including storing food above recommended temperatures, poor record-keeping, and inadequate pest control measures. Despite Murad’s claims of efforts to resolve the issues, the shop remained in an unacceptable state during follow-up inspections.
In the court hearing, it was disclosed that Murad, who pleaded guilty to all 22 charges, had expended substantial funds in an attempt to address the violations. His legal representative emphasised his client’s lack of comprehension of certain food hygiene terminology due to English not being his first language. It was acknowledged that Murad, who had no prior experience in food retail, had struggled to meet regulatory standards and had since ceased operating the business.
Consequently, Judge Richard Kember imposed a £3,500 fine on Murad, in addition to ordering him to cover £1,000 of the council’s prosecution costs. Despite expressing remorse for his actions, the judge underscored that Murad lacked the necessary training and expertise to manage a food retail enterprise. Murad, who has since taken up employment as a delivery driver, was directed to compensate the authorities at a rate of £35 per week. The case serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of upholding stringent food hygiene practices in retail establishments.