An Oxfordshire pub that scored a zero rating for its food hygiene was serving out-of-date food while live flies were found in the chiller, the Oxford Mail can reveal.

The Bird in Hand in Sonning Common was visited by South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Council’s environmental health team on November 2, 2023.

The pub in Peppard Road scored a bottom rating of zero-out-of-five with the inspectors deeming the business to require 'urgent improvement'.

A recent freedom of information request submitted by the Oxford Mail revealed the full damning report of the business.

Oxford Mail: The Bird in Hand was visited by inspectors in November of 2023.The Bird in Hand was visited by inspectors in November of 2023. (Image: Google Maps)

The owners of the business have changed since the report and the inspectors will soon return to the business to carry out further checks.

One major issue outlined in the report was the pub’s BBQ kitchen where pests roamed free leading to the temporary closure of this feature.

“As a result of the BBQ kitchen, food and equipment being unprotected from pests there is an imminent risk to health,” said the inspector.

“The rodent bait has been disturbed indicating there is rodent activity within the structure.

“There are live insects, spiders, cobwebs and dirt throughout the structure and there were animal paw prints on the work surfaces.

“I intend to offer you the opportunity to enter a Voluntary Closure Agreement for the BBQ kitchen.

“This means that the BBQ kitchen cannot be used until the contraventions in the voluntary closure and hygiene improvement notices have been addressed.”

Oxford Mail: Inspectors found a live fly in the pub's chiller (file photo).Inspectors found a live fly in the pub's chiller (file photo). (Image: Pexels)

Elsewhere inspectors also found the cellar to reveal even further pest problems with a live fly found in the pub’s chiller.

The report continued: “The cellar is not suitably pest proofed. You must fill the gap around the cellar beer hatch to prevent entry by pests.

“The door was open to the kitchen. You must ensure the door is kept closed to prevent access to pests.

“You may install a close-fitting netted door to allow natural ventilation which prevents pest access.

“It was noted that there was a live fly present in the walk-in chiller. You must take suitable precautions to prevent the entry of flies.”

Oxford Mail: The pub scored a zero rating meaning urgent improvement was deemed necessary.The pub scored a zero rating meaning urgent improvement was deemed necessary. (Image: FSA)

High levels of E.Coli were also discovered in the kitchen after swabbing was undertaken by those investigating.

“During the inspection hygiene swabbing of the kitchen was carried out as part of a national sampling survey,” continued the inspector.

“Of the six samples taken five results returned as unsatisfactory due to high levels of E.Coli and Enterobacteriaceae.”

A spokesman for South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Council said: "We are aware that the ownership of the business has now changed and we are working with the new food business operators to improve standards at the premises."