- Were you one of the diners who fell ill? Email jose.ramos@dailymail.co.uk
Dozens of diners have been struck down with food poisoning after tucking into a pub’s Sunday lunch.
The Corner House Inn in Llangynwyd, Wales, temporarily shut its doors last week after Public Health Wales linked multiple illnesses to meals served there.
Bosses were ‘devastated’ by the outbreak and closed the premises and carried out a deep clean while officials swooped in to investigate.
Testing has since identified the presence of Clostridium perfringens, a bacteria commonly associated with large-scale catering where food may not be kept at safe temperatures.
Public Health Wales (PHW) has since confirmed 43 people have fallen ill and said the risk to the public is low.
As news of the outbreak spread, customers began sharing their ordeals on Facebook, claiming entire dining parties had fallen ill.
Even a family pet was said to have suffered symptoms after being fed leftover meat, with one customer revealing: ‘I would say its food related my daughter in law ate with her friends and fetched meat home for the dog and even the dog was ill along with the whole party the main thing is that the source is found and corrected its a shame but one of them things.’
Another said: ‘I definitely think it’s food related as all my party that ate here Sunday have been ill, but it’s not passed on to any other people that any of us live with since home.’
Despite the scare, regulars have rallied in support of the pub, praising its transparency and insisting they will return once the issue is resolved. The pub has since re-opened.
In a statement to customers, the pub said: ‘The most important part for us is keeping you our customers, staff safe and updated.
‘We thank you all for your continued support and are happy to welcome you into our home.’
In its first post sharing the news of the outbreak, the owners said on December 1: ‘We have taken all necessary steps to work with the customers and environmental health to find out the cause for this.
‘We contacted environmental health ourselves and decided to close the business until we had the correct information.
‘We have spent hours with a thorough inspection with environmental health officers today.’
As the news of the outbreak came in, ill customers shared their experiences.
One said: ‘I’ve been ill all day also. Dinner was gorgeous, as usual. Never had any issues prior to yesterday so it seems highly unlikely that this was a result of anything to do with hygiene, etc.
‘We were a party of four, all ate the same thing and I’m the only one to have become unwell. Everybody thoroughly enjoyed the food. The only things I had that the other three didn’t were a Pepsi max and mint sauce.’
Another said: ‘Sorry to have to write this as the meal was great as always, but we ate as a party of 5 at 2pm (four beef, one turkey) and all of us have had “digestion” problems today.
‘Hope things get sorted soon as you are a great restaurant.’
Another added: ‘I’ve been in contact with the environmental health as a party of ten, four different households and all ill. I’ve tried ringing the pub yesterday and today but can’t get an answer. Like other people often eat here with no issues, I’m sure it will be sorted soon.’
But the business was flooded with encouraging comments from faithful customers who said this wouldn’t deter them from eating there in the future.
One said: ‘Your dedication to finding the cause and keeping your customers safe is truly commendable.
‘Sorry to hear this Wayne, and I’m sure you’ll sort this out . Well done on taking the correct procedure, I’m sure everything will be fine. Looking forward to our Christmas meal next Tuesday, good luck hope this awful thing for you will be resolved soon.’
Another added: ‘Best place. Best people. Best food. This happens. It won’t change anything. Keep doing what you do.’
The Mail has approached Public Health Wales and the pub for more information.
Diners at the Corner House Inn have chosen the business for its crowd-pleasing menu. Starters range from homemade soup with warm bread to creamy garlic mushrooms piled high on toast, while prawn salads come drenched in Marie Rose sauce.
There are even Chinese duck and hoisin bon bons, served with lettuce with a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
For those with bigger appetites, the pub offers a line-up of chargrilled steaks cooked to order – including rump, sirloin and ribeye – each served with a garnish, onion rings and peas.
A mixed grill features steak, gammon, chicken, lamb and sausage, while comfort-food favourites like sausage and mash are on offer.
From the sea, cod coated in the pub’s own beer batter is a staple, alongside golden scampi and salmon dressed in lemon and parsley butter. All mains arrive with a choice of chips, jacket potato, mash or boiled potatoes – and plenty of garnish.
Vegetarians are catered for too, with house-made lasagne, a Bangkok Bad Boy burger and a Punjabi chickpea curry offering meat-free alternatives for those steering clear of the steaks and grills.
