The Crab & Lobster pub in Bembridge has been handed another damning 1-star food hygiene rating – the second within 9 months – with inspectors discovering a mouldy ice machine, flies landing on food and tubs of out-of-date crab.
Following an inspection on 28th April, the popular Forelands Field Road establishment has once again been found to be failing across multiple hygiene standards. It comes after a previous inspection in August 2024 also resulted in a 1-star rating, as first reported by Island Echo.
Inspectors from the Isle of Wight Council’s Environmental Health team have highlighted in their latest inspection serious breaches, including the discovery of 8 tubs of crab dated 26th April – already 2 days out of date at the time of inspection. Staff claimed the crab had arrived earlier that day via a fresh delivery, but the volume of stock present, combined with inconsistencies in the delivery paperwork, raised doubts.
Back in August, inspectors found several items past their ‘use by’ date, including mussels, prawns, short rib trim, short ribs, feta cheese, mayonnaise, bacon, garlic butter and roast beef slices.
In the kitchen, a bowl of cooked fruit was observed with flies landing directly on it, while an ice machine in the cellar was found to be dirty with visible mould above the ice compartment. The inspection report notes widespread dirt and food debris across several pieces of equipment, including microwaves, freezers, and extractor fans.
Structural damage was also noted throughout the premises, with rusting walk-in fridge units, broken seals, and damaged flooring preventing proper cleaning. In one area, ceiling tiles were missing and stained, and parts of the walls in food prep zones were visibly deteriorating.
Despite already being under scrutiny from the last inspection, the pub has again rated as requiring ‘major improvement’. It last received a 5-star rating in 2013.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Character Inns has told Island Echo:
“Following a recent inspection, the Crab & Lobster received a 1-star food hygiene rating. Incorrect paperwork was unfortunately handed over, despite the correct documents being on site. Several issues highlighted relate to external bins 25 metres from the premises and a storage shed, which has since been removed; the shed did not store any food or drink.
“Minor kitchen fabric issues have now been fully resolved.
“We want to reassure guests that no concerns were raised regarding food handling or safety.
“Since the inspection, management changes and a full reorganisation have taken place. A new Head Chef has been appointed and will be introduced soon”.
The Crab & Lobster’s sister pub, The Bugle Coaching Inn in Yarmouth, has just received a 2-star rating following an inspection in May.
Food Hygiene Rating – Scores on the Doors
Compliance with food hygiene and safety procedures – 10
Compliance with structural requirements – 20
Confidence in management/control procedures – 10
Wow! I’m glad me and my family only had a beer, the price of there food is extortionate, how dirty! No excuse
Close it down then, if it is the second time they obviously don’t give a stuff.
I don’t know why the council bother with these inspections
it is obvious businesses don’t give a damn.
Unless such establishments are fined very heavily or
closed down, they are still allowed to trade!
“Shocking”
The Crab and Lobster hasn’t been that good since 2011 in my view.
And as for the Bugle , not a fan of that place at all.
Thank goodness there are better run places in other parts of the island
Close it down? Just laziness sounds like? Hope no one was ever seriously ill? I’ll never eat there.
Yet these filth holes are still allowed to trade.
They should be shut down with immediate effect and
Trip Advisor should be made aware, so persons
visiting such establishments are made aware of such
poor ratings.
Any business not displaying their rating should be
fined heavily.
Whoever scores the ratings don’t take all aspects
into consideration.
There are many businesses in Sandown and Shanklin
where you can visibly see the staff standing outside
vaping and smoking and if you watch when they
return inside, they start serving again without washing
their hands.
To me this is filth, yet many of these establishments
have 5 Stars ☆☆☆☆☆
They won’t get my trade.
Close it down
“We want to reassure guests that no concerns were raised regarding food handling or safety.”
“In the kitchen, a bowl of cooked fruit was observed with flies landing directly on it,”
Maybe the flies were part of the menu then?
“Since the inspection
No extra charge for the flies.
Lol
Not a good advert for Bembridge, time to shut the
doors permanently.
Invest or shut it down. Cant keep giving it more time before something happens.
Great location, what a wasted opportunity.
this use to be a gem of a place about 18 years ago.
If it is that bad then it should be closed until it can raise its standards, the public can show their disgust by boycotting any establishment with less than 5 star rating if it is serving food.
Well said.
Sorry to say we had a bad experience at this premise but knowing things do go wrong sometimes we went back the following year only to find it was a dump still.
The service was also terrible.
Just stating what we found.
There are too many businesses since the pandemic
who have gone from bad to worse.
It’s that bad thesedays I am eating more at home.
I use to visit many island businesses for food, it is
what the island use to do well, sadly not anymore.
Prices keep going up and quality and service is
going down.
Uuugghh ;( this used to be the place to go back in the day. Great food and reputation. Another one bites the dust then. Where is good to go and not get poisoned these days?!
What I don’t understand is that when a business
who serves up food scores such a low score, they
are still allowed to trade.
“Some even have the cheek to increase their prices”
Busy Bee’s Olive Tree restaurant scored a 1 star rating
and all I have noticed since is that they increase their
prices.
My usual flat white went from £2.95 to £3.75
I no longer entertain such increases.
Meal deal from Tesco petrol station costs less and
comes with a Costa Coffee, a sandwich and a snack.
Much cleaner too!
Hi, a group of us went into the Crab and Lobster pub for something to eat.
Me and a friend had a crab sandwich. it was ok but it left a tang in the mouth. That evening i had servire stomach ache and dierear, as writing this i still got pains in my stomach 6 days since we all hade a meal in there.