Live maggots found in 'very dirty' pizza takeaway

A pizza takeaway has been told to make urgent hygiene improvements after maggots were found crawling across the floor.

Dino's Pizzeria in New Ferry was given a zero food hygiene rating in August 2025 following an inspection by Wirral Council.

Inspectors said 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 when they visited the premises.

Their report said there was also no handwashing soap, while other areas were "very dirty" or suffered from a "build-up of grease".

The council inspection report said: "Maggot casings and dead maggots were noted on the floor of the wash up room, particularly around the frame of the back door.

"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 given the worst possible scores for hygiene, structure, and confidence in management.

The report behind the rating has been released following a Freedom of Information request by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which has contacted Dino's Pizzeria for comment.

Other discoveries in the inspection include the blade of a can opener that "was encrusted with food", a dirty microwave, and a temporary lack of hot water.

On top of this, the business was also told there was a build-up of grease in the extraction system, the ceiling above the pizza oven "was in a greasy, dirty condition", and "grease, debris, and inground dirt was noted at wall floor junctions throughout the premises".

Waste oil was found in the yard in open drums while food waste was spotted under a yellow wheelie bin.

The business was also criticised for the lack of food hygiene awareness among staff and not enough had been done to make sure food is safe.

It was told to thoroughly clean the premises to remove maggots and any sources of food for flies.

Other measures required by the council included sealing off potential pest entry points, a thorough clean and disinfection of all surfaces and equipment, and the employment of pest control.

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