An unannounced inspection has revealed critically poor hygiene standards at the Morrisons Daily on South Bar Street, Banbury, following complaints about foul odours and trip hazards. The store has been given a low rating of one out of five, prompting calls for urgent improvements.
The recent findings from an environmental health inspection at the Morrisons Daily store on South Bar Street in Banbury have raised significant concerns regarding food hygiene standards. Following an unannounced visit on February 28, Cherwell District Council’s Environmental Health team issued a scathing report that assigned the store a meagre one out of five in food hygiene ratings, indicating a critical need for immediate improvements.
The inspection was prompted by two complaints made to the council, highlighting the alarming state of the store. Complaints detailed that the floor was in a dire condition, with reports of a strong odour resembling faeces, particularly near the checkout area. Additional observations noted the presence of moss growing on the floor, leading inspectors to assert that “not one part of this shop [was] of good standard for members of the public.” The report confirmed these claims, indicating clear evidence of an overflowing drain in the bakery area, which could pose serious health risks if not addressed promptly.
Concerns extended beyond foul odours and unclean floors. The report identified numerous health and safety violations within the store. Inspectors observed various slip and trip hazards, including smashed glass scattered across both the stockroom and shopping areas. Such hazards necessitated immediate clean-up actions to prevent potential injuries among customers and staff alike. The inspectors stressed the need for thorough cleaning, disinfection, and maintenance to bring the store up to acceptable standards.
In contrast to this troubling report from Banbury, other Morrisons Daily branches have received much more favourable food hygiene ratings. For instance, locations in Bicester and Thame recently scored top marks, with hygiene inspections reporting high standards of cleanliness and food safety compliance. The stark difference raises questions about management across various stores within the chain and underscores the importance of consistent adherence to hygiene protocols.
In response to the inspectors’ findings, a spokesperson for Morrisons stated that the company “treats food safety and hygiene very seriously.” Following the inspection, they claimed to have taken immediate action and are collaborating with store teams to rectify the issues highlighted in the report. However, critics argue that such statements are insufficient without tangible improvement and accountability in maintaining hygiene standards across all locations.
As consumers become increasingly aware of food safety and hygiene issues, this incident serves as a wake-up call not only for Morrisons but for the retail sector as a whole. The need for stringent compliance with health regulations is paramount, as the trust of consumers hinges on the cleanliness and safety of shopping environments. The Banbury store’s previously tarnished reputation now serves as a reminder that action is necessary to ensure public safety and confidence in the food retail industry.
Reference Map
- Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
- Paragraphs 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Paragraph 4
- Paragraph 4
- Paragraph 4
- Paragraph 4
- Paragraph 4
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/25181494.stench-poo-moss-growing-floor-banbury-morrisons/?ref=rss – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.foodhygieneratings.org.uk/mccolls-ox16-9aa – This page provides the food hygiene rating for the Morrisons Daily store located at 9-10 South Bar Street, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 9AA. The store received a hygiene rating of 0, indicating ‘Urgent Improvement Necessary’, with the last inspection conducted on 9th February 2023. The inspection report highlights issues such as a filthy floor with a strong smell of faeces, moss growing on the floor, and a very strong odour in the bakery area due to an overflowing drain or leak. The report also mentions various slip and trip hazards throughout the store, including smashed glass on the floor in the stock room and shop floor. The inspector emphasized the need for thorough cleaning, disinfection, and maintenance to address these concerns.
- https://www.foodhygieneratings.org.uk/morrisons-daily-ox26-6ad – This page provides the food hygiene rating for the Morrisons Daily store located at 22 Market Square, Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX26 6AD. The store received a hygiene rating of 5, indicating ‘Very Good’, with the last inspection conducted on 4th December 2023. The inspection report highlights that the store has a very good standard of food hygiene, with no significant issues reported. The structural compliance and confidence in management were also rated as good, indicating that the store meets the required standards for food safety and hygiene.
- https://www.foodhygieneratings.org.uk/morrisons-daily-oxon – This page provides the food hygiene rating for the Morrisons Daily store located at 3 High Street, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 2BU. The store received a hygiene rating of 5, indicating ‘Very Good’, with the last inspection conducted on 6th February 2024. The inspection report highlights that the store has a very good standard of food hygiene, with no significant issues reported. The structural compliance and confidence in management were also rated as good, indicating that the store meets the required standards for food safety and hygiene.
- https://www.foodhygieneratings.org.uk/morrisons-daily-cv36-4ab – This page provides the food hygiene rating for the Morrisons Daily store located at 19 High Street, Shipston-on-Stour, CV36 4AB. The store received a hygiene rating of 0, indicating ‘Urgent Improvement Necessary’, with the last inspection conducted on 15th January 2024. The inspection report highlights issues such as a filthy floor with a strong smell of faeces, moss growing on the floor, and a very strong odour in the bakery area due to an overflowing drain or leak. The report also mentions various slip and trip hazards throughout the store, including smashed glass on the floor in the stock room and shop floor. The inspector emphasized the need for thorough cleaning, disinfection, and maintenance to address these concerns.
- https://www.foodhygieneratings.org.uk/morrisons-daily-oxfordshire – This page provides the food hygiene rating for the Morrisons Daily store located at 56-58 Villiers Road, Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX26 2BB. The store received a hygiene rating of 0, indicating ‘Urgent Improvement Necessary’, with the last inspection conducted on 13th February 2024. The inspection report highlights issues such as a filthy floor with a strong smell of faeces, moss growing on the floor, and a very strong odour in the bakery area due to an overflowing drain or leak. The report also mentions various slip and trip hazards throughout the store, including smashed glass on the floor in the stock room and shop floor. The inspector emphasized the need for thorough cleaning, disinfection, and maintenance to address these concerns.
- https://www.foodhygieneratings.org.uk/morrisons-daily-cheshire-1555292 – This page provides the food hygiene rating for the Morrisons Daily store located at 85 Blacon Avenue, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 5BB. The store received a hygiene rating of 4, indicating ‘Good’, with the last inspection conducted on 21st February 2023. The inspection report highlights that the store has a very good standard of food hygiene, with no significant issues reported. The structural compliance was rated as generally satisfactory, and confidence in management was rated as very good, indicating that the store meets the required standards for food safety and hygiene.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative reports on a recent inspection conducted on February 28, 2025, with findings released shortly thereafter. This indicates a high level of freshness. However, similar hygiene issues have been reported in other Banbury establishments, such as a Caffé Nero in January 2025 ([oxfordmail.co.uk](https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/24547349.banbury-cafe-nero-mice-stored-chemicals-near-food/?utm_source=openai)) and a Lebanese Wraphouse in 2021 ([bbc.com](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-62222184?utm_source=openai)). This suggests that while the specific incident is recent, food hygiene concerns in Banbury are ongoing. Additionally, the report appears to be based on a press release from Cherwell District Council, which typically warrants a high freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes attributed to inspectors and a Morrisons spokesperson. A search for these exact quotes did not yield earlier instances, suggesting they may be original or exclusive. However, without access to the full inspection report, it’s challenging to verify the authenticity of these quotes.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Oxford Mail, a regional newspaper. While it is a known publication, its reach and reputation are more limited compared to national outlets. The report is based on a press release from Cherwell District Council, which adds credibility. However, the absence of direct access to the full inspection report introduces some uncertainty.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about the store’s hygiene issues, including the presence of moss and faecal odours, are plausible and align with known food hygiene concerns in the area. However, the narrative lacks specific details from the inspection report, such as the exact nature of the violations and the store’s response, which would provide a clearer picture. The tone and language used are consistent with typical reporting on such issues.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative reports on a recent food hygiene inspection at a Morrisons Daily store in Banbury, highlighting serious concerns. While the freshness and originality of the content are high, the reliance on a press release and the lack of direct access to the full inspection report introduce some uncertainties. The plausibility of the claims is supported by similar incidents in the area, but the absence of detailed supporting evidence warrants further scrutiny.
