Iconic Eagle St venue fined over cockroaches in kitchen

The company behind one of Brisbane’s most famous and glamorous inner-city venues has been fined thousands after a sickening kitchen discovery.

Fridays restaurant bar at Eagle St.

A company behind hundreds of venues across Australia has been fined thousands after cockroaches were found at its iconic riverside bar in Brisbane.

AVC Operations Pty Ltd, which operates Fridays on Eagle Street in the CBD, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to six counts of failing to comply with a requirement imposed by food standards code in relation to conduct of food business.

Brisbane City Council attended Fridays on November 25, 2022, and observed non-compliance with six clauses of the Food Standards Code, Brisbane Magistrates Court heard.

The charges related to food storage (protecting from contamination and temperature control), failing to provide paper towels, cleanliness of premises, a loose tap and cockroaches, the court heard.

Council prosecutor Amye Fairbairn told the court there were numerous live and dead cockroaches around the kitchen.

As a result the venue was shut down from November 28 to December 2 until the issues were rectified, the court heard.

Court image of dirt and cockroaches at Friday's Brisbane City.

The company’s previous audit history included being awarded a four out of five star rating in April 2018 followed by a two star rating in July 2021 when cockroaches were found, the court heard.

“So my submission is that the defendant was on notice as at 12th of July 2021 that there was a problem,” Ms Fairbairn said.

She sought a fine between $25,000 to $30,000 total, from a maximum of $359,375 per offence, and did not press for the recording of a conviction.

The company’s solicitor Darrell Jardine said the offending came as a result of a “perfect storm” including issues with the pest controller not carrying out services and difficulties in obtaining competent staff during Covid.

Cockroaches at Fridays found in 2022.

“For the most part those staff are no longer with our client and they’ve been replaced with the staff now that are far more diligent, qualified and suitable for the roles,” he said.

The group runs 217 hotels, including more than 80 venues in Queensland, however Fridays was the first to be temporarily closed down due to food safety issues, he said.

“This is the first occasion our client has found themselves in this position. … it’s a very successful enterprise and it’s got an excellent reputation for good service and good food,” he said.

“So the fact that we are here today is a bitter pill to say the least.”

Food storage and cleanliness were also an issue.

The company now employs a food safety manager, has moved to an online system ensuring all cleaning schedules and food safety checks and practices have been completed, and engaged new pest controllers and cleaners at Fridays, the court heard.

A follow-up audit in March last year noted only minor issues and awarded three stars.

Dirt and cockroaches at Fridays in Brisbane.

Magistrate Ross Mack said the most serious breach was the cockroaches found in the recesses under the benches. But he found it was not a case of the company not caring but due to the difficulties outlined by Mr Jardine.

“They put in place, almost immediately, a new regime for pest control and cleaning. They engaged with council with a view to making sure that these things wouldn’t happen again,” he said.

He found the company, which had no previous convictions, was a good corporate citizen and had pleaded guilty very early.

The company was fined $25,000 with no conviction recorded. Six counts of contravening a condition of licence were dismissed after Ms Fairbairn offered no evidence.