“Everything is too sanitised nowadays”: Readers praise “dirty” Peak District cafe slammed with zero-star hygiene rating and given legal notices calling for urgent improvement

Grindleford Station Cafe and Spring Water Supply, located at Station Road in Upper Padley, Grindleford, received a zero-star hygiene rating following an inspection carried out on March 5.

Inspectors were left “concerned” by their observations at the Peak District café, which failed its microbiological sample test and had a history of previous food safety concerns.

According to Food Standards Agency website, when a microbiological sample fails, it often points to issues including cross-contamination, poor personal hygiene or improper cleaning of equipment.

The hygiene inspection report has further revealed that the food handlers in the kitchen “did not have general understanding of food hygiene and safety procedures to operate the kitchen safely”.

Inspectors found dirt throughout the premises including "heavily soiled” walls, a “build-up of debris” across the kitchen appliances and “a lot of cobwebs”.

But loyal customers defended the well-established Peak District café on the Derbyshire Times Facebook page.

Keith Naylor, 68, who grew up in the local area, said: “I grew up in Grindleford Cafe. A pint of tea and a full set breakfast before climbing some rocks.

"To be honest the packed butties I took out for snack on the hill were eaten with hands coated in god knows what.

"I’m 68 tomorrow and would gladly trust a Grindleford cafe breakfast anytime.

"In fact I might have to call in tomorrow and treat myself. 5 stars from me.”

Barbara Horton sang praise for Grindleford Cafe as well, highlighting that the venue, which mainly serve hikers, does not need to be “fancy”.

She said: “This is a great cafe always has been.

"Ok it's not fancy but it's a cafe that mainly serves people off walking where you want good food at good prices all washed down by a pint of tea.

"I remember it when it was the ticket office and the cafe was at the side in a little round building run by Mrs Reynolds back in the 60's and 70s watching the steam trains coming out of Totley tunnel.

“It's always busy and have to queue up so that tells you how good it is, but for the fussy more you can always go to the Maynard arms hotel just at the end of the road and pay an absolute fortune for food and drink no pints of tea there.”

Ruth Longtail praised the café for amazing bacon butties.

She said: “I've had in my youth many fabulous bacon butties in this cafe yet I endure, in fact it's where I name if I'm ever asked "what's the best bacon butty you've ever eaten."

Wendy Alison Sian Morford has also defended the eatery – and criticised current expectations of high hygiene standards.

She said: "Is this the one with all the ‘shouty’ memos all over the place? It’s great!!

“Everything is too sanitised nowadays. That’s probably why there are so many allergies.

“My dad used to make liver and onion casserole , eat half of it and leave the other half, still in the casserole dish, on the sunny kitchen windowsill for the next day. He loved to a ripe old age.

“We need toughening up.”

Dale Holford did not mind low hygiene score or food being stored near a muddy area either.

He said: “Chips stored near muddy areas. So are potatoes.”

Victoria Rachel Nauen said: “Best chips ever. Once something’s deep fried all the germs are killed anyway.”

Tina Smith was not surprised by the low hygiene rating.

She asked: “What do they expect? It’s a walkers and bikers cafe.

"No one stands on ceremony you get plenty of decent food and all the “ guests “ chat to everyone else.

"It’s not the Ritz but you can’t go in there with walking boots on and wet clothes!”

Dominic Anderson has gone even further and crowned the venue as the best cafe in Derbyshire.

He said: “Best cafe in the county. I’ve been regularly for years with no problems at all. It's not a sterile MDs, it's a proper cafe.”

Derbyshire Dales District Council have served a Hygiene Improvement Notices (HIN) to Grindleford Station Cafe and Spring Water Supply.

A HIN is a formal, legal document issued by an Environmental Health Officer (EHO) to a food business that is breaking food hygiene laws.