Apology for dirty kitchen

Bosses of a Shropshire restaurant today apologised to customers after they were ordered to pay more than £12,000 for having a dirty kitchen and out of date food.

Sidoli & Sons (Shrewsbury) Ltd, at Henfaes Lane, Welshpool, were taken to court after the kitchen at its Sidoli La Fontana restaurant in Telford Shopping Centre was found to be "dirty and greasy" by health inspectors. Out of date food, including chicken fillets from the previous week, was also found.

Yesterday's court hearing at Telford Magistrates Court, where three food hygiene charges were admitted, saw company bosses ordered to pay £9,000 in fines and £3,027 in costs.

After the court case, Paul Richards, company secretary and operations director, said: "La Fontana restaurant wishes to apologise to all its customers for the shortcomings in the operation that gave rise to the charges brought against the company by Telford & Wrekin Council.

"The restaurant is now very much under the direct management and control of the head office."