A BUSINESSMAN from Barrow yesterday went on trial after he, his wife and his business partner were charged with a string of hygiene failings.

John Wormall, known in Barrow for having run Paulo Giannis and his involvement with new venue The Townhouse in Dalton Road, appeared alongside business partner Gemma Rowlands at Lancaster Magistrates' Court last month.


Sarah Martindale and John Wormall The pair, along with Wormall's wife Sarah Martindale, who sat out of the hearing after complaining of feeling unwell, have been charged with nine food and hygiene offences relating to the Castle Inn restaurant at Hornby just outside Lancaster.

Prosecutor Jonathan Conder, acting on behalf of Lancaster City Council, outlined the charges, which include allegations of failing to protect food against contamination that would be unfit for human consumption, failing to maintain food hygiene and failing to notify an appropriate authority of the opening of a new food business.


Gemma Rowlands

Wormall, 47, and Martindale, 34, of Goadsbarrow, are alleged to have been business owners and operators, under the company name Another PG Ristorante, a limited company established in April 2013.

Rowlands, 36, of Lancaster, is alleged to have been a business operator at the Castle Inn at the time the alleged offences took place in November 2015.

The charges follow an inspection of the restaurant by officers working for Lancaster City Council on November 18 2015.

Wormall, Martindale and Rowlands all pleaded not guilty and elected for their trial to be heard at the crown court. The trial is listed to take place at Preston Crown Court today.