This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Mouse infestation, no sink and unsafe staircase at Banbury takeaway
19/07/2022
A fine of £221,617 has been issued and the director barred from the catering industry
A Banbury takeaway where a mouse infestation was found, also had no sink to allow basic hygiene to be maintained and an unsafe structure in place to access the first floor.
Lebanese Wraphouse Ltd, based in a kiosk outside the Castle Quay Shopping Centre on Bridge Street has been fined £221,617. Its director, Yassine Al-Ashkar of Banbury, has also been barred from the catering industry following a hearing at Oxford Magistrates’ Court last Friday (July 15).
An unannounced inspection took place in 2021 and found rodent droppings in areas where food was stored and prepared. The business closed voluntarily for a deep clean and pest control. However, despite a dozen officer visits during 2021, the business owner failed to engage.
Another unannounced inspection in February 2022 found that the sink had been removed, meaning basic hygiene could not be maintained. Officers also discovered that the staircase was damaged and an improvised wooden structure was being used to access the first floor, presenting a serious risk of injury to staff.
Other issues identified on the premises included a build-up of dirt and debris, damage to the floor and an absence of soap and hand drying facilities at the hand wash basin.
After finding out that there was no running water at the premises, officers served a hygiene emergency prohibition notice to formally close the business. They also served a health and safety notice to prohibit use of the unsafe wooden structure.
In court Al-Ashkar pleaded guilty to a total of 21 offences in his capacity as director of the business, and to one further charge brought against him personally.
Al-Ashkar and Wraphouse Ltd were found guilty and the business ordered to pay a total of £221,617 in fines, costs and a victim surcharge. Al-Ashkar personally was ordered to pay a further £894.
The prosecution was brought by Cherwell District Council. They were granted a hygiene prohibition order, meaning Al-Ashkar can no longer be part of the management of any food business.
Councillor Eddie Reeves, Portfolio Holder for Safer Communities, said: “There are some fantastic places to eat out, pick up a takeaway or order in from in north Oxfordshire. Local people and visitors expect these venues to be safe, clean and hygienic, and the vast majority of them are.
“In this instance we encountered not only some very serious problems, but a business which stubbornly failed to respond to our repeated attempts to help bring its operations up to standard.
“Due to the seriousness and persistence of the offending in this case, the magistrate has fined the business £10,000 per offence. That serves as a very serious deterrent to any other businesses who are tempted to break the rules and put their customers’ and staff’s safety at risk.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam