Weston-super-Mare business fined over £10,500 for food hygiene breaches
Investigators found multiple food hygiene offences at Central News, located at 5 The Centre
Last updated 13th Jan 2026
A business owner in Weston-super-Mare has been ordered to pay over £10,500 after admitting to 10 breaches of food hygiene regulations.
Mr Binu Chacko of Central News, located at 5 The Centre, pleaded guilty at North Somerset Magistrates’ Court on 10th December 2025 to multiple food hygiene offences.
The offences related to unacceptable practices during a delivery of meat and fish in April 2025, when food was unloaded and sorted in unhygienic conditions in the lane behind Mr Chacko's convenience store.
Investigators found Mr Chacko used a dirty knife showing signs of rust to cut the food and had no facilities to wash his hands during the process.
Food was also not stored properly under correct temperature controls.
Additionally, traceability documentation was missing, meaning the origins of certain food products could not be verified.
Councillor James Clayton, North Somerset Council’s Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, Sport and Pride in Place, said:
“This case highlights the importance of upholding the highest standards of food hygiene to protect public health.
"Handling food in such unsanitary conditions is unacceptable and puts both customers and the wider community at risk.
“North Somerset Council will not hesitate to take action against those who fail to comply with food safety regulations, to protect the health and wellbeing of residents and visitors.”
The court imposed a fine of £2,769 on Mr Chacko, reduced from £4,154 due to an early guilty plea.
He was also ordered to pay North Somerset Council £6,627.62 in costs and a victim surcharge of £1,108, bringing the total financial penalty to £10,504.62.