No Crumbs Of Comfort For Rat-Infested Local Bakery

The Slow Bread Company in Stamford Brook faces fine for breaching food hygiene rules

An award winning artisan bakery in Stamford Brook became infested with rats after the owner hit hard times, a court heard this week.

Inspectors found a dead rat, gnawed bags of flour and rodent droppings behind an oven when they inspected The Slow Bread Company which is based in Stamford Brook Arches.

An example of sourdough bread

The inspection was carried out by Hammersmith & Fulham Council in February last year. A further inspection was carried out last January.

The company which was established in 2013 supplies a range of London shops, cafes and restaurants with specialty breads, buns and pasties. Its products are advertised as having been sold on the EatChiswick Street Food Markets which operated on the corner of Chiswick High Road and Chiswick Lane.

The company’s owner, Nicholas May, 54, admitted breaching three food hygiene health and safety regulations. He told Westminster Magistrates’ Court, "The business has not been generating any cash."

The Slow Bread Company is described as a Family Bakery and was set up by Head Baker Nick May and his wife, after years of baking his naturally-leavened bread for friends and family. It has won several accolades for its products.

Its website state, "Our Bakery located in Chiswick, West London, has been established to serve local individuals, Cafe, Pub, Hotel, Restaurant, Deli, Catering and Coffee Shop trade in and around London."

The products have been sold at markets in Battersea and Marylebone Farmer's Market and Primrose Hill.

A notice has been placed in the London Gazette for a compulsory strike off of the Slow Bread Company. Sentencing was adjourned.

We have asked Slow Bread Company for comment.

June 30, 2018