Fish, chips and mice

The takeaway “hadn’t been cleaned for weeks”, according to inspectors

A ROYTON takeaway was voluntarily closed after inspectors found the premises riddled with mouse droppings.

They also found cigarette ash amid the grime at the John Bull Great British Takeaway in Shaw Road — and a piece of plastic in a fryer.

Owner Karl Highton temporarily closed his business after the inspectors’ visit, before cleaning up and reopening. Yesterday he was fined £1,400, and another £1,490 in costs, after pleading guilty before Oldham Magistrates to seven charges of failing to comply with food hygiene regulations.

Ruth Crimmins, prosecuting on behalf of Oldham Council, said the takeaway had been visited several times by inspectors offering advice.

During a visit in August, 2011, officers found an active mouse infestation, and a domestic cat had been seen in the kitchen. Mouse droppings were found on the worktops and around boxes of bread. A piece of blue and white plastic was found in the chip fryer.

There was cigarette ash and cigarettes around; debris all over the kitchen.

The window sill was filthy, the deep fat fryer thick with grease and food was encrusted in the microwave.

Mr Highton, who was away in Germany during the August inspection, blamed poor finances and a lack of a supervisor for staff.

Since the inspection, the premises have been cleaned and are no longer a health risk.

Mr Highton is now actively trying to find a buyer for the premises, according to his solicitor.


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