Reading Environmental Health helps restaurant reopen safety after rat infestation

Food Safety

• Reading restaurant closed by Environmental Health in August due to a severe rat infestation reported by the public
• Owners were fined £3,660 and required to resolve hygiene issues
• Successful work with officers led to the re-opening of the eatery in September with improved hygiene score

ZAIKA The Paan Shop on Oxford Road, Reading, re-opened safely earlier last week following an emergency closure by Council Environmental Health officers. It followed a member of the public reporting extensive rat activity at the premises.

Two food safety officers visited the west Reading eatery in August after receiving an email from a concerned member of the public.

Officers found rat droppings in every corner of the front kitchen, as well as in the dry storage room.

A nest with discarded food.

Rats' nests with chips, chicken bones, and other food waste were found in three fridges, along with blood stains, and several expired and unlabeled food products. The employee handwashing basin also showed no signs of recent use.

A pest control expert estimated rodent activity and droppings dated back almost a year.

Rat droppings found at the premises.

While some rat holes were sealed in July 2024 by pest control technicians, the rat activity was not dealt with, and no cleaning was carried out at the premises as instructed.

Rat urine found at the premises.

Following the inspection last month, officers issued a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice (HEPN), formally closing the premises the same day. They immediately liaised with Reading's Legal Services to begin the court process for the Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order (HEPO) under The Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013.

At a hearing at Reading Magistrates Court on Friday 6 September, the order was granted, and full enforcement costs of £3,660 were awarded to the Council.

Following the hearing, officers made two re-visits to the restaurant, working closely with the owners to ensure all pest activities were cleared, and that the entire premises were cleaned and disinfected.

The second visit earlier last week found the business to be spotlessly clean, with all pest-proofing works carried out. A certificate of satisfaction was issued, and the closure order was lifted.

Cllr Ruth McEwan, Lead Councillor for Education and Public Health, said:

"This result is a testament to Reading's ongoing commitment to protecting our residents and visitors from dangerous and inexcusable breaches of food hygiene standards.

The decision to close a business is never taken lightly, and I want to thank the owners for their full cooperation with our officers to ensure the hygiene issues were quickly corrected.

"Officers conduct regular and thorough inspections of premises across the Borough. However, members of the public have a vital role to play in reporting any concerns about a food business or retailer and can do so in full confidence via [email protected].

"I'd like to thank the customer for bringing this issue to our attention, meaning our officers could swiftly visit the premises and tackle the problem before a serious health risk was realised."

ENDS