THE owner of a top hotel, fined £24,000 for breaking food safety regulations, claimed this week he had "the cleanest kitchens in Bury."

The fine was imposed by Bury magistrates after the Bolholt in Walshaw Road was taken to court by Bury Council after a visit by health inspectors in September. Owner Mr Stefan Sikorski said: "Within a week of the inspection all the work was done to the complete satisfaction of the council. On the day in question our ceiling fell in due to a leak from the boiler. Because of the crisis it was an impossibility to clean to normal standards."

He added: "Immediately after the visit the problem was rectified and the kitchen areas brought up to standard. I would invite anyone who may still be concerned to come and inspect our kitchens themselves."

Inspectors visited the hotel last September and found food debris, cutlery and cigarette ends on the floor as well as no hot water for kitchen staff to wash and meat on the floor of the walk-in refrigerator.

Mr Sikorski was fined after pleading guilty to six separate offences under the Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations Act 1995 at Bury Magistrates Court. He was also ordered to pay court costs of £1,116.

Defending, Mr Anthony Shimmin said: "This particular day on which a routine investigation took place was just about the worst possible day for the hotel. In more ways than one, the roof fell in on the hotel. Under normal circumstances a lot of debris would not have been there. It is a matter of pride that the hotel runs properly and it is a matter of shame that these proceedings have been brought."

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