Cumbria brewery closed by rat infestation

A CUMBRIA brewery has been closed due to a rat infestation.

South Lakeland District Council today (July 10) obtained a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order and a Food Condemnation Order at Kendal Magistrates’ Court has closed Dent Brewery until it has rectified a problem with rat infestation.

The council will work with the brewery to help it resolve the situation.

On June 16 Environmental Health Officers from the Public Protection Group visited the premises and identified there was a problem with rats accessing the site.

It gave the business advice on how to deal with the problem, but the situation had not improved when officers made a follow-up visit on July 7.

The officers served a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice on the brewery on July 7, which closes the premises. They also seized about 600kg of malt and grain. Approximately 4000 litres of brewing beer will also now be disposed of.

Simon Rowley, Assistant Director Neighbourhood Services, said: “The council takes public health issues very seriously and will carry out a thorough investigation of potential breaches of hygiene regulations.

“Businesses that are selling or making products for human consumption have a responsibility to do so in a safe and hygienic manner.”

SLDC is working with Public Health England and has informed the Food Standards Agency about the closure.

John Astbury, from Cumbria and Lancashire’s Public Health England Centre, said: “We are working in partnership with South Lakeland District Council on this matter. We can reassure people that any health risk to the public is very low. “