Fined: Dirty Maida Vale curry house overrun with cockroaches

A cockroach infested curry house in Maida Vale that was so filthy health inspectors forced it to close has been ordered to pay almost £19,000.

The Bombay Takeaway Club at 47 Maida Vale, breached a horrific catalogue of hygiene rules including a dirty kitchen that was overrun with cockroaches, raw food left out in the open and grease encrusted fittings and equipment.

It was forced to close for 15 days in October 2014 while it cleaned up its act.

It has since been reinspected and was given a Food Hygiene Rating Scheme mark of four out of five (good) In August last year.

Last week the restaurant was fined 16,252 and ordered to pay a further 2,252 in costs for a series of hygiene offences.

The Magistrates said in their ruling: “We consider that these matters are of a high culpability, we do not consider they put in place adequate measures, we believe insufficient efforts were made prior to the initial visit or inspection.

“Restaurants have a duty of care to the public and they fell well below the standard of what’s required.”

Cllr Nickie Aiken, Westminster Council’s cabinet member for public protection, said: “This prosecution sends a clear message that we will not accept poor food hygiene standards in Westminster.

“New Bombay Takeaway Club has shown a willingness to clean up its act, as shown by its recent improved rating. However, this substantial fine will act as a clear lesson for them and to others in the borough.”

You can check the food hygiene rating of a premises by visiting ratings.food.gov.uk.