All the Wirral businesses with the worst possible food hygiene rating and inspectors' grim discoveries

Local authorities are responsible for enforcing food hygiene laws and can inspect your business at any point in the food production and distribution process. Authorised officers can take enforcement action to protect the public.

The LDRS put in a Freedom of Information request to uncover more details about what was found at the worst rated restaurants and food businesses in the borough. Since the LDRS’ Freedom of Information request, three more businesses have been given zero food hygiene ratings.

Amara, a restaurant in Wallasey Village, was inspected on October 6 and was told it needed urgent improvement in all areas. Mr Waffle on Grange Road West was inspected on October 31 and was also told urgent improvement was necessary.

Smash ‘N’ Sizzle in Prenton was inspected on October 30 where it was told major improvement was needed in two areas and improvement in another. All three restaurants have been approached for comment.

The LDRS has also previously reported on conditions found inside the Masonic Hall in Liscard and Yeung Sing Fish and Chips in Rock Ferry.

Wallasey Market

Wallasey Market based in Liscard was given a zero food hygiene rating in March 2025. The business was operated by Wallasey Market Limited at the time but the LDRS understands it has since changed owners, though the rating was still in place.

The report said the standards found at the premises were “wholly unacceptable” with a “mouse infestation, gnawed product, [and] droppings on shelves”. The shop was told it needed to dispose of chocolate, lentils, and chickpeas as these were potentially contaminated.

Earlier in December 2025, Wallasey Market was served with a closure order by Sefton Magistrates Court for three months. This means the shop has been forced to close until next year and the orders “were sought following repeated enforcement activity and intelligence reports indicating ongoing criminal behaviour at the premises”.

Dino’s Pizzeria in New Ferry

Dino’s Pizzeria in New Ferry was given a zero food hygiene rating in August 2025 following an inspection by Wirral Council. The business was given the worst possible scores for hygiene, structure, and confidence in management. It was told “urgent improvement” was needed.

The report also said: “During my inspection, maggot casings and dead maggots were noted on the floor of the wash up room, particularly around the frame of the back door.

“Two live maggots were seen crawling through the open back door into the kitchen, and another was found in a pan stored in the wash up room. Several flies were also observed in the rear prep room.

“Flies and maggots can carry harmful bacterial which may contaminate food and equipment that they come into contact with. You must therefore take immediate action to eradicate the issue.”

The business was told to thoroughly clean the premises to remove maggots and any sources of food for flies, potential pest entry points sealed off, a thorough clean and disinfection of all surfaces and equipment, get in pest control, and a number of other steps.

Fluff

Fluff on Laird Street, Birkenhead was given a zero food hygiene rating following an inspection by Wirral Council food hygiene officers in June 2025. The business told the LDRS it has since taken a number of steps to address issues.

The zero food hygiene rating was still in place as of December 22. However the Food Standards Agency website suggested another rating is due to be published soon.

The June 25 inspection noted there was no proper supply of hot water due to a faulty boiler. When asked when the business last had hot water, inspectors were told this was not known and no engineer had been called to sort it.

The business then voluntarily closed until the council was assured hot water was available. Two days later, the business was able to reopen after this was sorted.

However a number of other issues were found. In the kitchen and toilet sink, no hand soap or hygienic hand drying facilities were found meaning “effective hand washing was not being undertaken by staff”.

The double sink in the kitchen was “obstructed by bags of food waste” while the fridge and freezers were “dirty at the time of the inspection and require a deep clean”. A chopping board and knife used to cut ready-to-eat food like strawberries was also dirty.

Jade Garden

Jade Garden, based at 90 The Rake in Bromborough, was told it needed to take steps to address issues or face enforcement action.

The Chinese restaurant was slapped with a zero food hygiene rating following an inspection by Wirral Council environmental health officers in September 2025.

The full report, released following a Freedom of Information request by the LDRS, said: “There were concerns raised during the inspection regarding adequate stock rotation and shelf life of food.

“There was a container of raw chicken stored in the fridge which was emitting an unpleasant odour at the time of the visit. There was no shelf-life information available for the product, and you were unable to provide these details.

“You provided assurance that the product was still ok to use, however there was no evidence to suggest the use by date or shelf life of the product.”

A box of green peppers was also found with many of them soft and some starting to mould. The business was reminded it needed to make sure out of date food is disposed of.

Former Bargain Booze on Ford Road, Upton

This shop, based at 147 Ford Road in Upton was inspected on April 30 2025 by Wirral Council. The shop, linked to Pareto Retail Ltd, was given the worst possible rating and told “major improvement is necessary”.

The shop was previously a Bargain Booze and has since changed names to The Local. Wirral Council in the April food hygiene report, produced following the inspection, said it had not been notified of the change in branding and a legally-required new food business registration needed to be submitted.

The full food hygiene report, released following a Freedom of Information request, said: “There was evidence of mice activity in the staff toilet at the rear of the storeroom as there were several droppings found on the floor in the toilet and on the worktop in the ante space.

“They did appear to be old and crumbly suggesting historic activity, but as historic activity was also found at the last inspection, it would seem that you are not managing the situation well.”