Top marks for former 'filthiest pub kitchen'

A pub that was condemned for having the filthiest kitchen in the country is celebrating after scoring top marks from health and safety visitors.

Frankie Miller, who runs the Maypole in Thaxted, Essex, with her mum Jude, was thrilled last week when the pub received five stars in the 'scores on the doors' scheme.

The result is a far cry from March last year when the previous tenant was fined £1,000 for a host of health and safety failures.

Inspectors shut down the pub, which was then called the Rose & Crown, after finding 190 "mouldy, slimy putrescent or expired foodstuffs". The kitchen didn't even have running water and work surfaces and utensils were covered in thick grease.

Despite reading the reports Frankie was keen to take on the challenge. With the pub closed they gave it a complete overhaul internally, changed the name and took on a chef to tackle the kitchen.

Frankie said: "We started in February and we had to come in and give the pub a complete revamp. At first it was a challenge because of the pub's reputation.

"But word has spread and slowly but surely people have started coming back."

Trade at the pub has steadily increased over the last 10 months and 30 per cent of takings at the pub now come from food sales.

And Frankie believes the five star rating could help bring in more customers to try their "wholesome, hearty, pub grub".

"The inspectors came three months ago and we knew with the reputation of the pub they were going to be extremely thorough.

"When we found out we have five stars we were absolutely thrilled. Hopefully even more people will be willing to try us now," she said.