Insects and out-of-date chicken found at Darlington pub

The Oak Tree, in Middleton St George, was told that “urgent improvement” is necessary after inspectors visited the Yarm Road venue on July 24. 

The manager of the restaurant, who only took over in June, previously claimed there were issues she “was not aware of” - adding that she was “trying very hard to get things fixed”.

The Northern Echo can now reveal the full findings of the damning food hygiene inspection, which found a series of issues including “worn” chopping boards, cobwebs on the walls and ceilings, and contamination risks. 

The venue was told that “urgent improvement is necessary” (Image: DARLINGTON COUNCIL)

Inspectors found chilli sauce and chicken were both being used beyond their use-by-date, while dirty scourers were being used for cleaning equipment and utensils

Flying insects were present within the food preparation and storage areas. 

Labelling was found to be “haphazard” - with a self-imposed three-day shelf life given to in-house prepared food. But some foods were given four days or longer, including prawns in sauce and chicken, which inspectors described as 'not a safe reliable method' for storing food.

'Dirty' scourers were being used at the popular restaurant (Image: DARLINGTON COUNCIL)

There were some temperature issues raised in the report, with the air temperature of the bench-top service fridges found to be at 12°C and 20°C; fridges must operate at a temperature that will keep high-risk foods at or below 8 degrees. 

Serving spoons were also “submerged into foods within the fridges” - with condiments being stored at an “ambient temperature”. 

Dirty fridge and freezer doors and cardboard on bar floor 

Inspectors found the wall covering in the room used for preparation and storage outside was “not suitable”, the ceiling “not capable of being effectively cleaned” and the floor covering “damaged”. 

Meanwhile, in the main kitchen, the floor was found to be dirty, “especially at the floor and wall junctions and behind or below equipment”. 

Pictures published in The Oak Tree's inspection report (Image: DARLINGTON COUNCIL)

Inspectors rated the site zero stars (Image: DARLINGTON COUNCIL)

Hand touch points throughout, in particular the fridge and freezer doors, and the fridge and freezer door seals were found to be dirty. 

The blade of a heavy-duty can opener was “dirty” and several of the seals on the fridge doors had split, while the handle to the fridge in the main kitchen was hanging loose. 

The kitchen’s rear door also had a gap, creating a pest entry point. 

The Oak Tree was taken over by a new owner and manager back in June (Image: DARLINGTON COUNCIL)

Several issues were found during the inspection (Image: DARLINGTON COUNCIL)

Over in the bar, cardboard was being used on the floor surface. 

In terms of confidence in management, the business had used the Food Standards Agency’s Safer Food Better Business pack, but safe methods were not fully completed. 

There was also no washbasin for food handlers working in the room used for food preparation and storage. 

The venue has been praised online over the years (Image: DARLINGTON COUNCIL)

It was noted that there were “no robust procedures in place for effective management of allergens”. In particular, the allergy matrix was “scribbled on/out and amended” and was “difficult to understand” according to inspectors. 

‘I hope everyone will understand’ - manager

The Oak Tree has been praised over the years for serving “high-quality food and drink with a great atmosphere”, and holds a 4/5 rating on TripAdvisor.

The Oak Tree in Middleton St George

The pub's new manager told The Northern Echo last week: “Unfortunately, in my sixth week I was visited, but the changes had not been made by then.”

She confirmed that the venue’s closure from Monday, September 2. 

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This will take place for roughly three weeks while cleaning and refurbishment work are undertaken.

These will be mainly structural improvements, including work on the preparation area and kitchen. She added that she is “very confident” for the restaurant’s future.

The Oak Tree did not wish to comment any further on any of the issues found in the report.