Bug-infested takeaway shut down by court

AN Oldham man has been forced to shut down his cockroach-infested takeaway.

Juned Choudhry of Widdop Street, Busk, closed the Balti House in Blackrod, near Bolton, after an environmental health officer applied for an emergency court order following the discovery of hundreds of the insects.

Bolton Council laid traps at the property after a member of the public complained she had seen a cockroach when she picked up an order.

John Haworth, environmental health officer, visited on Friday and found about 200 cockroaches stuck to each trap in the food preparation and storage areas.

Mr Choudhry was given a notice that the premises had to close immediately because of the risk it posed to health.

On Tuesday, Mr Haworth showed Bolton magistrates the traps containing the cockroaches, and said they represented only about 5 per cent of the problem.

He said: “I carried out an inspection of the building. It is an ongoing infestation and there are adult and small ones. There was also a cockroach on a food preparation board.

“There is an extensive problem. Cockroaches carry bacteria on their body which can spread on to the food preparation boards. As a result there was a serious risk to health if the premises stays open.”

Mr Choudhry did not attend court.

An answerphone message at the takeaway informs customers that it is closed for refurbishment and that it is expected to open on October 6.

Enforcement officers have the power to immediately close premises that pose a health risk, but must apply for a hygiene emergency prohibition order from the court within three days to extend the closure.

Officers laid more traps on Friday and when they visited on Monday there was still a problem.

Magistrates granted the order for the premises to be closed until the owner can prove the infestation has been removed.