Troubled Doncaster bar facing winding up stung with £20,000 bill after rat infestation
A troubled Doncaster bar shut down over a serious rat infestation and which has now filed for insolvency despite telling customers it was undergoing a refit, was fined £20,000 for breaching food hygiene regulations.
Otto’s Wine Bar and Kitchen in Sprotbrough was shut down by Doncaster Council health chiefs after inspectors found evidence of a ‘large and active’ rat infestation at the premises in 2023.
Yesterday it emerged that the business has filed for insolvency – with a meeting of creditors set to be held on February 16.
It comes after bosses at the venue in Main Street told customers via Facebook that the bar had been closed for refurbishment.
In a notice posted on the firm’s Facebook page, which didn’t mention the winding-up, an Otto spokesperson said: “Just checking in as we know we originally hoped we’d be open by beginning of February, however, things have taken longer than we anticipated.
“We will update you as soon as we know a reopening date.”
Since news of the bar’s insolvency emerged, that post has now been deleted, along with numerous posts from angry customers blasting the bar.
It has now emerged that late last year, Otto was fined £14,000 for breaching food hygiene regulations.
Bosses admitted eight charges, including improper food handling and failing to implement sufficient procedures to control pests.
Doncaster magistrates heard that when council inspectors visited in November 2023, a staff member confirmed there were rats in the building when asked.
The court heard the offencesrelated to improper storage of wrapping materials risking contamination, failure to maintain food preparation surfaces in good condition and inadequate cleaning of equipment.
The business also failed to ensure adequate procedures were in place to control pests, failed to ensure the prompt removal of food waste and other refuse and failed to store ingredients in appropriate conditions.
As well as the fine, the business was ordered to pay £6,118.71 towards the costs of the case.
Earlier this week, a notice posted by The Gazette, the official record of statutory notices and insolvency announcements said: "The decisions being sought from creditors at the meeting will include considering resolutions for the appointment by creditors of a liquidator and a resolution specifying the terms on which the liquidator is to be remunerated.
“A meeting of shareholders has been called and will be held immediately prior to the virtual meeting of creditors to consider passing resolutions for the voluntary winding up of the company and appointment of the proposed liquidator, Jeremy Bennett.”
Mr Bennett is an insolvency practioner at West Yorkshire based solicitors’ firm O’Haras. We have contacted O’Hara’s for further details.
Otto was forced to close in October last year following a fire at adjoining Indian restaurant Mehfil, which has also been forced to close its doors for a refurbishment.
In recent weeks, a number of photos have been shared on the Otto Facebook page of work taking place inside the bar.
Three years ago, the bar was slapped with an instant closure by Doncaster Council health chiefs after inspectors found evidence of a ‘large and active’ rat infestation at the premises.
We have contacted Otto for comment.