Swindon kebab shop forced to remain closed following cockroach infestation

Described by Swindon Borough Council’s environmental health officers as one of the worst cockroach infestations they had ever seen, Baban Restaurant and Takeaway was initially visited by officers last Thursday (21 April) after they received a complaint about rats and the build-up of waste at the back of the premises.

When they arrived they found the business open and serving food, but after an inspection of the kitchen area, there were clear signs of a cockroach infestation and officers served a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice formally closing the business.

At a hearing this morning (28 April) Swindon Magistrates’ Court heard how council officers discovered what were described as “appalling conditions” with raw meat defrosting in a sink next to plates that had been used to serve food and evidence that employees had been using the equipment sink to wash their hands instead of the hand wash basin.

The business, which is run by Jamal Majed, was also described as grubby, the walls were greasy, and there was food debris on the floor and under all work surfaces.

The general build-up of rubbish in the corners of the food preparation area indicated that cleaning was not regularly taking place.

However, prosecuting solicitor, Daryl Bigwood, representing the Council, described how officers found much worse when continuing their inspection.

In a witness statement presented to the court, Carolyn Clinton, Health Compliance Team Leader at the Council, described how she found a large number of live and dead Oriental cockroaches under the sinks in different stages of their life cycle.

In her statement Mrs Clinton said: “As I continued to examine the areas behind equipment, shelving, cooking equipment, I discovered even more Oriental cockroaches. It is usually hard to find cockroaches during the day.

“The infestation was so extensive adults and nymphs were scuttling around the premises on the floor, shelving and food preparation areas.”

Mrs Clinton said she found further oriental cockroaches inside and on top of the chest freezer, while they were even discovered inside takeaway containers, which were ready to be used for customers.

Cockroaches were also visible on chairs and under the tables of the customer seating area as well as in the drainage tray in the front counter chiller where uncovered ready-to-eat foods such as cut lettuce, onion, red cabbage, lemons and jalapenos were ready to be served to customers.

Live cockroaches were found in a large open bag of dried red lentils, which were on a trolley next to the hot water boiler. Underneath, more than 100 dead and alive insects were found. There were so many cockroaches, officers had to request additional evidence bags.

“The infestation was the worst that I had ever encountered as an Environmental Health Officer in a food premises that was open, trading, and serving food,” Mrs Clinton said in her statement.

“The conditions were appalling and showed a complete disregard to hygiene regulations and the health of the Swindon public.”

Mr Majed told council officers he had tried to control the infestation with an insecticide. During a follow-up visit earlier this week, council officers had found evidence he had attempted to block off entrance points into his premises and said he had arranged for a pest controller to attend later that evening.

Mr Majed, who was not present at the court hearing, has provided no further update to the Council and attempts to contact him yesterday were unsuccessful.

After hearing the evidence this morning, a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order was issued by magistrates allowing the Council to keep the restaurant shut until it is satisfied that the safety of customers can be met. The business will have to apply in writing to reopen.

Mr Majed was ordered to pay the Council’s costs of £2,053.

Damon Green, Swindon Borough Council’s Public Protection Manager, said after the hearing: “The conditions found in this restaurant were truly shocking and the fact it was described by our officers as the worst infestation they had ever seen shows the scale of the problem.

“Food hygiene regulations are there for a reason, to protect the health of the public. I am pleased the magistrates agreed with us that this business should remain closed until the owner deals with the problem and we are satisfied there is no further risk to members of the public.

“We take food hygiene extremely seriously in Swindon and will not hesitate to take action if we believe there is a risk to local residents.”