Boss fined after three mice found at 'dirty' Kingswinford pub

The Cottage Inn in High Street, Kingswinford, was ordered to close immediately when Dudley Council's food safety inspectors visited following a complaint. 

The pub is praised for its food in the Campaign for Real Ale's Good Beer Guide.

Samuel Dainter, a director of Cottage 2021 Ltd which operates the pub, admitted six offences under Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations when he appeared before Dudley Magistrates Court.

Dainter, aged 32, of Ragees Road, Kingswinford, was ordered to pay  £1,820, including a £320 victim surcharge, when he appeared before the court last week.

Inspectors visited the pub on October 3, 2023 after receiving a complaint about a mouse at the pub, and ordered it to close immediately after finding three dead mice.

As well as the ongoing pest problem, they also found grease, grime, and multiple holes in walls, floors, and stairs.

The health inspector's report said: "A dead mouse was found on the floor beneath the sink unit in the kitchen and two dead mice were found in the boiler/pipe room located on the ground floor adjacent the seating area."

There were also 'fresh' mouse droppings found in the kitchen behind the fridges and freezers, in the bottle store in the cellar, the food storeroom and in the bar area. 

The inspector also noted open food containers which 'may have been contaminated'.

The restaurant's records said pest checks were done every day, but the inspector found this to "not be implemented".

Records also stated that kitchen surfaces and equipment was kept clean, but the inspector found there to be 'several' areas that needed disinfecting, including the cooking range which had become "encrusted" with burnt grease and debris, as well as a green chopping board which was so heavily scored that it 'could not be maintained in a clean condition'.

The inspector noted 'several holes' that needed filling to prevent mice from coming in through the stairs, floors, walls, shelving, and sink area.

A spokesman for Dudley Council said: "During the inspection the council found dirty and unhygienic conditions, mouse activity, and poor food safety training in place for staff. The premises had also not been correctly registered for the preparation and distribution of food."

The Cottage was allowed to  reopen in December 2023 following two weeks of supervision by the council's food safety team.

The Cottage is included in the Campaign for Real Ale's 2025 Good Beer Guide, which praises it for its food and welcoming atmosphere.

It describes the Cottage as a 'comfortable pub set on two levels serving a good menu including lunchtime specials,' adding that 'a carvery on Sunday also supplies meat for delicious sandwiches and cobs'.

The guide says the pub offers a selection of changing beers and a range of country wines.

"The frontage would not look out of place on a postcard and the interior is homely and inviting," it adds.

Councillor James Clinton, cabinet member for public health at Dudley Council, said after the sentencing: “This case serves a reminder that we will not hesitate to act against people who are not facing up to their responsibilities when it comes to preparing and selling food.

“I welcome the findings of the court and would like to thank the council officers who were involved in bringing this matter before the courts.”

The pub's latest inspection, carried out in May last year, gave the Cottage a two-star rating, meaning 'improvement necessary'.