Restaurant allowed to reopen after rat infestation

A town centre restaurant has been allowed to reopen after it was closed because of an "imminent risk to health".

Reading Borough Council officers visited AR Foods Ltd, trading as Anjappar Chettinad Indian Restaurant on Kings Road in Reading, on 23 July.

It came after its owners requested a re-rating of their recently issued one-out-of-five food hygiene score, which was issued on the same day as its closure due to a rodent infestation.

Live rats and droppings were found, with several food products in storage, such as bags of flour, exposed to contamination.

The business voluntarily disposed of the affected stock.

On 31 July, Reading Magistrates Court agreed an order requiring the restaurant to remain closed until the structural and pest control issues had been addressed, and a comprehensive deep clean had been completed.

Costs of £1,055 were awarded to the council.

Following a revisit on Tuesday, officers were satisfied that there was no longer an imminent risk to health and the venue had been permitted to reopen.

Pathogens that rats carry can be transmitted to humans through their droppings, urine, and fur, leading to health complications such as Salmonella and E. coli.

Rachel Eden, lead councillor for education and public health, said it was "very important the council takes robust action whenever businesses put customers at risk".

"The council's Food & Safety team will continue to work with businesses to educate staff in the best hygiene practices and to ensure the highest levels of hygiene and safety standards are maintained."