Infested

WHAT the inspectors found . . . cockroaches on a dishwasher

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A RESTAURANT which was given a zero hygiene rating after an uncontrolled infestation saw cockroaches found in a cutlery drawer and on a red salad pepper has been fined.

Mavi Royton Ltd, which owns Turkish cuisine restaurant Istanblue on Rochdale Road, Royton, were prosecuted by Oldham Council after environmental health officers visited the restaurant in November following a complaint from a member of the public.

During their visit officers found that adequate procedures were not in place to control pests and the food premises had not been kept clean or maintained in good repair.

Cockroaches were also found on a dishwasher.

Ms Crimmins, prosecuting on behalf of the council at Tameside Magistrates yesterday, said the premises was suffering a full cockroach infestation along with grease and filth.

The drawer where cockroaches were found was dirty, as were fridges, beneath and behind equipment and at floor/wall junctions. Cockroach faeces were found littered around takeaway bags.

The premises was closed at the time of the inspection and reopened following a re-inspection by environmental health officers.

Erhan Karakoc, managing director of Mavi Royton Ltd, who represented himself, argued that two hours before the inspection they had had pest control out to deal with the cockroaches, as a result of the treatment he argued they had moved further inside.

He also highlighted that they had complied with the council in dealing with the issues.

Regardless, on behalf of Mavi Royton Ltd, he pleaded guilty to two food hygiene offences and he was ordered to pay £13,595 in fines and court costs.

Councillor Barbara Brownridge, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and co-operatives, said: "Oldham Council takes matters like this very seriously and we are committed to ensuring there are no serious lapses in food hygiene in premises across the borough.

"We will not hesitate to take action in cases like these to protect the health and safety of our residents.

"Business owners who run establishments that serve food must comply with the law or be prepared to face prosecution."

Istanblue has been recently reassessed and given a four-star rating.

It also narrowly missed out on a quartet of honours at the 2017 British Kebab Awards in London.