Owner of rat-infested restaurant fined

The owner of a Staffordshire curry house that was shut down because of a rat infestation has been fined more than £1,000.

Environmental health officers closed down owner Salam Uddin's Bangladeshi restaurant Hot Rock last March after finding rat droppings and fur in food containers and on preparation areas. Officers also discovered that rodents had been gnawing on food in the kitchen at the restaurant in High Street, Chasetown, which also offered a takeaway service.

Mr Uddin was fined £1,300 for failing to protect Hot Rock from contamination.

Tim Matthews, an environmental health officer at Lichfield District Council, said there was "no doubt" that customers' health had been placed at risk.

"The state of the restaurant was shocking," he said.

"There were rat droppings in food containers, on the floor and near food preparation areas.

"There was no doubt that customers' health was at great risk and we immediately ordered the closure of the restaurant."

"We were very relieved that Salam Uddin was prosecuted for four counts of failing to protect the building, equipment and food from contamination from pests."

Councillor Val Richards, cabinet member for housing, health and leisure, said the prosecution should serve as a warning to other eateries in the district.

"We take food hygiene standards very seriously and won't hesitate to take any action necessary to protect local people's health," she said.

The council's team of environmental health officers regularly visit restaurants and cafes in the district to keep tabs on hygiene standards.

Lichfield District Council is one of a number of local authorities in the county backing the ratemyplace scheme, a website that lists the health and safety ratings for eateries across Staffordshire.

To find out more visit: www.ratemyplace.org.uk

It can also be accessed from a mobile phone at www.ratemyplace.mobi