A publican is calling for inspectors to re-investigate their kitchen after an “extremely mouldy” ice machine was discovered.

The Food Standards Agency also found staff at The Phoenix in Ashford washed with hot water from the coffee machine and the kitchen was temporarily closed during an August inspection.

Then, the town centre pub was slapped with a one-star food hygiene rating and the kitchen remained shut until hot water was restored.

Now, bosses say the ice machine was not in use at the time of the inspection – and they have hot water again as the heating system has been repaired.

A report by an environmental health inspector says staff at the Tufton Street venue had been washing their hands and surfaces with hot water from the coffee machine.

“There was no hot water supply available to the premises,” it says.

“The kitchen and bar area had none for handwashing or cleaning.

“I have agreed to voluntarily close the kitchen until hot water has been reinstated.”

Responding to the finding on Monday, a spokesman for The Phoenix said: “Unfortunately at the time of our last inspection our hot water system had failed.

“It has since been repaired and is operational again providing hot water to all areas of the venue.”

The report written at the time of the visit reveals the ice machine in the downstairs bar was “extremely mouldy”.

“Please dispose of all the ice in this unit and clean it thoroughly,” the inspector’s report said.

“Maintain the machines in a clean condition.

“I would advise you to devise a cleaning schedule and implement it to include this equipment.”

Specialising in showing live sports, The Phoenix serves food such as burgers, sandwiches and jacket potatoes.

But the inspector found no food safety management system on-site when they visited.

It was noted that the documents were in the business's possession but not at the pub, according to official council papers.

The inspector advised they should be available at all times, and staff should be trained up on food safety practices.

Furthermore, the lighting in the kitchen was found to be “insufficient for ensuring effective cleaning”.

“This is also insufficient for identification of a potential pest infestation,” the report adds.

“Provide a good level of lighting to allow these tasks to be carried out effectively.”

A spokesman for The Phoenix told KentOnline on Monday: “We are arranging a re-inspection from the council this week with the intention to remove our voluntary closure of some of our services to ensure the council is completely satisfied with us as a business.”

Regarding the mouldy ice machine, the spokesman said no ice from the unit was put in drinks.

“We currently have two machines one of which was not utilised for the ice production,” they said.

“But it has been remedied and cleaned with a cleaning schedule procedure in place for both so they can now be fully operational when necessary.”