Hampstead Heath pub and café get zero food hygiene scores

The Stag, a pub in Fleet Road, and Polly’s, a café in South End Road, were both given food hygiene ratings of 0 following inspections by Camden Council.

Both premises were visited on January 9 and were told that “urgent improvement” was necessary.

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Polly’s

At Polly’s, inspectors found a “chronic mouse infestation” and warned this constituted a “health risk condition and an imminent risk of injury to health”.

Inspectors claimed Polly's had a chronic mice infestation (Image: Camden Council)

Inspectors claimed Polly's had a chronic mice infestation (Image: Camden Council)

Polly’s in South End Road did not respond to a request for comment.

The Stag

At The Stag, inspectors found an “imminent risk” to food hygiene, as “rodent droppings were evident throughout the kitchen and external food storage unit.”

Inspectors found an “imminent risk” to food hygiene at the Stag (Image: Camden Council)

Crab which was past its use-by-date was also found at the premises. Inspectors said that the pub must check its stock daily and dispose of any out of date food, and warned that it is an offence to sell food with an expired use by date.

Crab beyond its use-by date was found at the Stag (Image: Camden Council)

Another area identified as needing “major improvement” was the structural condition of the building.

The pub was advised to inspect its premises for crevices and gaps surrounding service pipes to prevent food pests.

The pub was advised to inspect its premises for crevices and gaps (Image: Camden Council)

Inspectors also gave the Stag further guidelines to eliminate rodents, including emptying bins daily and cleaning up food debris lying around the kitchen.

The report also said that the location of an electric insect killer in the kitchen was “not acceptable”.

Inspectors said the location of an electric insect killer in the kitchen was “not acceptable” (Image: Camden Council)

The pub was told to move the equipment away from preparation surfaces to avoid risk of contamination.

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A spokesperson for The Stag in Fleet Road said: “During our annual visit from Camden Council in early January, we identified some specific structural issues in the kitchen that needed actioning.

“These works were immediately carried out. Camden Council, revisited a week later and was 100% satisfied with the works that had been carried out.

“As a result, we all expect our new updated rating, which will be issued in due course, to reflect the high and professional food safety standards we always carry out on a daily basis since we opened in 2008.”

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