A businessman has been fined £14,000 after scores of diners fell ill after eating at his pub on Mother's Day.

Nearly 400 people enjoyed a meal at The  Old Farmhouse in Nailsea on March 11 this year but 186 fell ill with food poisoning after their visit.

The victims, who had eaten over four sittings, were aged from babies to diners in their 80s and had reported becoming unwell with symptoms of diahorrea, stomach cramps and sickness.

The Old Farmhouse in Nailsea
The Old Farmhouse in Nailsea

After being alerted to the outbreak, North Somerset Council environmental health department launched an investigation, tracing the 398 people who had eaten at The Old Farmhouse that day.

Public Health England (PHE) was also informed.

During their visit, environmental health officers took samples of lamb, beef, gravy and from some of the equipment used from the pub.

Officers returned to the pub the next day where they met Eric Montgomery, the sole director of the company M and M Hospitality which ran The Old Farmhouse at the time.

Mr Montgomery is no longer involved with The Old Farmhouse. He left the business in August last year and it is now under new management. The pub now has a five star food hygiene rating.


The Old Farmhouse, Nailsea

The court heard that tests on the samples taken from the pub showed that both the beef and lamb contained the bacteria clostridium perfringens.

The bacteria - which normally live in the human and animal intestine and in the environment -  causes a toxin in the body which causes people to become ill.


The court heard that although the bacteria had been found in the lamb and beef there was 'strong evidence' that other food items had been contaminated.


Fortunately all those who fell ill at The Old Farmhouse did not have any long lasting effects and recovered within a few days.


Prosecuting for North Somerset Council Emma Anderson said: "These food safety procedures are essential in ensuring outbreaks like this do not occur.

"The offender fell far short of the appropriate standards allowing breaches of food safety to exist."



Defending Mr Montgomery Stuart Matthews said: "This is a man of impeccable character who has been in the business for 30 years.

"He is deeply upset that anyone has been caused harm on his watch."



Mr Matthews added: "Mr Montgomery wants to make it clear that this was an isolated incident for him with horrible consequences.

"Everything points to him taking his eye off the ball which led to what happened on Mother's Day.

Shigella causes severe vomiting and diarrhea

"This was an isolated incident and is not going to happen again."


In a letter to the court Mr Montgomery said: "I am truly sorry for the harm caused to our patrons."



