Cobwebs, flies and grime in kitchen (From Penarth Times)

Cobwebs, flies and grime in kitchen

ONE OF PENARTH'S best known cafes has been fined thousands of pounds after ins-pectors found cobwebs, flies, mildew and grease-encrusted tiles.

Rabiotti's snack bar at the Esplanade is popular with both locals and the scores of visitors to the Victorian seaside town.

But conditions discovered by Vale of Glam-organ environmental health officers during a visit on September 9 have led to the owner being fined £5,250.

Vale magistrates, sitting in Barry, also ordered former leaseholder Robert Rabaiotti, of Swansea, who was appearing on behalf of Rabaiotti's, of The Esplanade, to pay £1,021.49 costs.

Prosecuting for the Vale Council, Mohammed Yakub said the health and safety inspectors found rainwater pouring in through the ceiling of a food store, and surfaces in some cases contaminated with matter including cobwebs, mould, grease and food debris.. There were also problems with food storage.

"It was evident that a serious contravention of food legislation had taken place," he added. "The general standard of cleanliness was very poor throughout the premises and there was a lack of control in ensuring food safety."

Mr Rabaiotti pleaded guilty to eight charges brought under the Food Safety Act, and Stephen Clarke, defending, said it was the first time such summonses had been brought against the premises in its 40-year history.

The day after the inspection in September, the cafe was voluntarily closed and extensive improvements carried out immediately.

Magistrate Ian Hamer said: "We recognised that remedial work was done promptly and to a high standard at a point in time. However, prior to that it was inspected and the report was a litany of appalling situations."

A council spokesman said later: "This sends out a clear message to food businesses that the council takes a serious view of hygiene standards."