The Mill in Ulverston Handed One-Star Food Hygiene Rating
A well-known Ulverston gastropub has been handed a one-star food hygiene rating following an inspection by food safety officers.
The Mill, on Mill Street, was inspected on March 11th. The latest Food Standards Agency rating shows the venue was given a score of one out of five, meaning “major improvement is necessary”.
The business is listed as a restaurant, café or canteen and is based at Mill Street, Ulverston, LA12 7EB.
The Mill is owned and operated by Lancaster Brewery, which said it was disappointed by the rating but claimed the issues raised during the inspection have already been addressed.
What Inspectors Found
Food hygiene ratings are based on three main areas. These are how food is handled, the cleanliness and condition of the building, and how well food safety is managed.
At The Mill, inspectors found that hygienic food handling was “generally satisfactory”. This covers areas such as food preparation, cooking, reheating, cooling and storage.
However, the management of food safety was marked as needing major improvement.
This part of the inspection looks at the systems and checks a business has in place to make sure food is safe. It also looks at whether staff understand food safety and whether inspectors have confidence that standards will be maintained.
Pub Points to New Staff and Menu
Lancaster Brewery said the inspection took place during a period of change for the business.
A spokesperson said the venue had “a new kitchen team, a refreshed menu and several operational changes being introduced” at the time of the visit.
The spokesperson said The Mill prepares and cooks most of its food from scratch. They said this makes the operation more complex and puts extra pressure on management and staff.
Lancaster Brewery said it had been running pubs, hotels and restaurants for almost 25 years and was “proud of our standards”. It added that, “from time to time, improvements need to be made.” This follows a 1 star hygiene rating with inspectors saying “major improvement is necessary”.
Business Says Improvements Made
The company said the issues raised by inspectors have now been addressed and that The Mill is applying for a re-rating visit.
A spokesperson said the business had acted quickly since the inspection.
They said procedures had been tightened, working practices had been sharpened and additional checks had been put in place.
The spokesperson said The Mill looks forward to welcoming Environmental Health back to show the improvements already made.
What a One-Star Rating Means
A one-star food hygiene rating does not mean a venue has been closed. It does mean that major improvements are needed.
Food hygiene ratings run from zero to five. A rating of five means hygiene standards are very good. A rating of one means major improvement is necessary.
The Food Standards Agency says businesses with low ratings must make urgent or major changes to hygiene standards. Local authority food safety officers can give advice and guidance, and they also have enforcement options where needed.
Businesses can appeal a rating if they believe it is wrong. They can also request a re-inspection once improvements have been made.
Venue Known in Ulverston
The Mill is described on its website as a gastropub in the heart of Ulverston. The venue says parts of the Grade II listed building date back to the 12th century. It also highlights its original waterwheel, bars, food, drink and private event spaces.
The latest rating will likely raise concern among some customers, especially as the lowest score related to management systems rather than the condition of the building.
Lancaster Brewery says improvements have now been made and the business is seeking a new inspection.
