Mouse droppings were discovered at one of the business’ sites which closed down earlier this year
The closed Baltic Bakehouse in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle. This branch received a two-star hygiene rating, while a site in Wavertree was given zero stars
A Liverpool bakery closed its doors after mouse droppings were discovered during an Environmental Health inspection, the ECHO can confirm. Baltic Bakehouse had branches on Allerton Road and Bridgewater Street, as well as a bakery site in Wavertree‘s Wellington Road which supplied wholesale baked goods to a number of businesses in Liverpool’s hospitality industry.
The ECHO previously reported how the business had shut, with uncertainty surrounding its future. It was then confirmed by a spokesman for Liverpool Council the closure was “voluntary”.
Now, following an Freedom of Information (FOI) request made by the ECHO, it can be revealed a raft of food hygiene and safety issues were uncovered by inspectors. The ECHO reached out to The Baltic Bakehouse for a comment regarding the FOI report.
According to the report, at the Wellington Road venue, “there was evidence of rodent activity throughout the premises”. The report noted that mouse droppings were found on the floor level, above floor level, the preparation area, storeroom, proving area and WC area.
The closed Baltic Bakehouse in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle
It also said that exposing food to such activity can cause food to become “unfit for human consumption” and therefore the “situation at the time presented an imminent risk to health”. For this particular venue, the report said it was “completely unacceptable” to run a business in the unhygienic conditions found during the inspection.
The Bridgewater Street venue was also found to have issues – albeit not to the same extent. The FOI revealed that this store needed an “effective stock control system” and “staff training” was required. It received a two on the food hygiene rating scale. The Allerton Road shop was found to be the best of the three, receiving a five rating – the highest available.
The ECHO previously reported how staff from the Baltic Bakehouse did not receive their final wages. A number of former staff members contacted the ECHO following the sudden closure of the business to express their shock at finding they were out of work after receiving phone calls from one of the owners, Sam Henley.
Baltic Bakehouse on Allerton Road was given a five-star rating(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Staff members were initially told they would be paid up to their last shift on their usual payday on the 25th of the month. However, team members then received a letter from the business director informing them they would not be paid their outstanding salaries.
The letter, seen by the ECHO, which was sent to staff members, said: “Unfortunately Baltic Bakehouse Ltd will not be able to pay you your outstanding salary on 25 April 2025. This applies to all employees.
“The directors are exploring the possible options for the business going forward and we are working hard to identify the best way forward for all stakeholders including you. The decision to close the business was not taken lightly and was a last resort.
“You will ultimately receive payment in full for your hours worked, and any other statutory entitlements either from Baltic Bakehouse Ltd or the Government Redundancy service.”
The closed Baltic Bakehouse on Liverpool’s Allerton Road
The letter, which was signed by Baltic Bakehouse director Brenda Henley, directed employees to a government website regarding their rights in relation to redundancy.
At the time, director Brenda Henley told the ECHO: “All Baltic Bakehouse staff will receive wages owed, due to the commercially sensitive nature of information about the business we are unable comment further. Unfortunately such problems are common where a business undergoes such a change in its circumstances.”
The closed Baltic Bakehouse in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle
The former staff member, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “I’ve never been in this position before. I’ve got bills coming out every month.”
They added: “I was banking on this month and I’ve had no pay […] it’s just a case of taking each day as it comes. I live on my own so I don’t have anyone else to depend on, it’s really stressful.
“It’s proper getting me down – it’s cut me off at the root really. I was waiting until the 25th and my mum said ‘just wait and see, you might get paid’. We were all young in the cafes and I feel so naïve. It was an enjoyable job and I feel like I’ve lost friendships as well.”