A ROADSIDE cafe based in a converted double-decker bus has been told that urgent improvement is necessary after rodent droppings, out-of-date food and a mouldy fridge was found.
The A49 Bus Cafe, situated in a layby near Ashton, between Leominster and Ludlow, was handed a zero-star hygiene rating at the end of January after a Herefordshire Council food hygiene inspector raised concerns over the cleanliness of the bus and compliance with food regulations.
The inspector found Greek yoghurt that went out of date in August of 2025, along with double cream that should have been disposed of in January.
Concerns were raised over the temperature of certain foods when cooked ham was found to be stored on a work surface at seven degrees above the recommended temperature, along with raw sausages and bacon stored in an inadequately chilled cool box.
It was noted that at the time of the visit, the cafe's fridge was not working.
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Mouldy black pudding and goat cheese were found stored in a fridge which was not working, with the inspector also noting that a fridge in the premises had become mouldy.
At the time of a revisit on February 10, the fridge had been cleaned and was working.
The inspector found that on the initial visit, the wash hand basin was full of utensils and equipment, making hand washing "impossible", though the sink had been cleared at the time of the revisit.
The cleanliness of the food preparation area was found to be "poor" with the work surface cluttered, but the area was found to be clean at the time of the revisit.
Rodent droppings were also found by the inspector in a cupboard, behind the fridge, and on shelving in the food preparation area.
Concerns were also raised over the lack of pest control measures, and lack of fridge temperature monitoring records.
Several holes were found in the bus structure, along with a gap which could allow the ingress of pests within the premises.
At the time of the revisit, all areas containing rat droppings had been thoroughly disinfected, and the holes and gaps identified by a door had been filled.
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