Restaurant infested by cockroaches shut down

Aug 9 2008 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

A CURRY house has been closed down by council investigators because of a cockroach infestation.

Tandoori Nights Indian restaurant on High Street, Rucorn, was shut by officers from Halton council after receiving a complaint from the general public about insect activity in the vicinity of the restaurant last Friday.

Officers visited the premises that evening to find adult and nymph cockroaches and egg cases in the main food preparation areas and in the first-floor storage rooms. A Halton spokesman said: “We can confirm that Environmental Health officers visited the premises following a complaint from a member of the public. They were satisfied there was a risk to health and used emergency powers to close the premises immediately.

“This closure has been confirmed by a full court order obtained on Thursday at Warrington Magistrates Court.”

Cockroaches tend to spend daylight hours hidden in cracks and crevices particularly near warm places.

The spokesperson added “Cockroach activity in the area is rare and there is no other obvious source of the activity.

“The infestation was most likely introduced into the premises through bulk food or laundry supplies.

“We are urging food businesses – particularly in this warm weather – to be extra vigilant and ensure that their premises are kept clean.

“At the first sign of any pest activity businesses should consider engaging the services of a pest control contractor to ensure that it is eradicated”.

The premises will remain closed until the infestation has been eradicated and officers are satisfied the premises no longer poses a risk to health.

Halton Borough Council is now advising businesses and members of the public on ways of preventing pest activity.

The advice includes keeping premises clean, removing any accumulated waste food as this could become a source of food for pests, emptying bins regularly and checking for holes or gaps in the fabric of buildings as this could provide pests with access.

No-one from Tandoori Nights was available for comment last night.