A CHEESE manufacturing firm was fined more than £24,000 for a number of hygiene issues, including a lack of hot water and refusing to stop work when ordered to.

Sunny Ventures Limited of West Thurrock was found guilty of food hygiene offences, resulting in a £12,000 fine and a £8,330 costs order at Basildon Magistrates’ Court.

In addition, the company director was fined £1,875 and ordered to pay £1,000 costs, with the company secretary also being fined £1,250 - with a costs order of £1,000.

Charges brought against the company, the director and the company secretary by Thurrock Council included: a lack of hot water to the wash hand basins, failure to implement a documented food safety management system and breach of a statutory notice to stop operations until Thurrock Council was satisfied that remedial action had been taken.

Council bosses have warned they will not think twice about hitting firms with huge fines for poor and unacceptable hygiene.

Leader of Thurrock Council, Rob Gledhill, Cabinet member for public protection and anti-social behaviour, said: “Thurrock Council will not hesitate to take action where businesses disregard hygiene standards put in place to protect consumers.

“Our food team had worked with this manufacturer to improve standards between August 2018 and early 2019.

“But enforcement had to be escalated when inspections in March and April 2019 found serious non-compliance with food hygiene regulations.

“We will continue to support businesses that are willing to co-operate in order to make sure they meet regulations.

“But we, as a council, will not back down from those that choose to evade them.

“Consumer and resident safety remains at the heart of all we do.”