Hotel owner ordered to pay £29,000 after ignoring hygiene notices 

The owner of a hotel in Thame has been ordered to pay more than £29,000 after admitting failing to comply with two improvement notices after a series of significant hygiene issues at the premises in 2023. 

Ravinder Singh Takhar, of Templewood Lane, Farnham Common, Buckinghamshire, pleaded guilty to nine breaches of Food Safety and Hygiene regulations as proprietor of The Spread Eagle Hotel in Cornmarket, Thame.  The case was heard at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 9 September. 

The District Judge heard how, during a routine hygiene inspection on 5 July 2023, an Environmental Health Officer from South Oxfordshire District Council found that the food premises was not kept clean, in good repair, or in a safe condition, with damaged walls and floors in the kitchen. Proper hygiene and safety procedures had not been implemented, waste storage and disposal were inadequate and the premises’ construction failed to prevent contamination from pests. 

As a result, the officer issued the premises with two Hygiene Improvement Notices requiring the repair or replacement of the floor and walls in the food preparation area within 11 weeks.  The premises was also issued with a Food Hygiene Rating of just 1. 

When the officer carried out a further visit just under three months later, Mr Takhar had again failed to ensure that the food premises was kept clean and in good condition.  He had also failed to comply with the two Hygiene Improvement notices.  

As a result of these failures, Ravinder Singh Takhar, Trading as The Spread Eagle Hotel, was fined £15,000 and ordered to pay £12,243 costs and a £2,000 surcharge.  Total penalty: £29,243. 

Cllr Sam James-Lawrie, Cabinet Member for Environment at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “Food businesses have a legal duty to protect their customers by maintaining clean and safe premises. Ignoring these standards puts public health at risk and we will not hesitate to act against premises that fail to meet their requirements. 

“We gave the owner of this hotel clear instructions and ample time to put things right, but they chose not to act. This left us with no option but to take enforcement action through the court.  This case involved significant work for our Food & Workplace Safety and Legal teams.  We’re therefore very pleased that the District Judge issued a significant fine and costs against the premises.” 

The Spread Eagle was reinspected in December 2024 and received a Hygiene Rating of 3. 

Notes for editors 

Ravinder Singh Takhar, Trading as The Spread Eagle, Thame, pleaded guilty to following offences of breaching The Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013: 

For 5 July 2023: 

• Failed to ensure that the food premises were kept clean and maintained in good repair and condition. 

• Failed to ensure the walls in the kitchen were not damaged and in a poor condition. 

• Failed to ensure the floors in the kitchen were not damaged and in a poor condition. 

• Failed to implement permanent procedures based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Points of Control (HACCP). 

• Failed to ensure adequate provisions were in place for the storage and disposal of food waste and non-edible by products and refuse. 

• Failed to ensure the construction of the food premises permitted good food hygiene practices including protection against contamination by pests. 

For 3 October 2023