Rat droppings, mould and damp were amongst the items on the menu at a ‘stomach churning’ vegetarian restaurant.

A large number of fruit flies flew straight into the face of hygiene inspectors when they lifted the lid of a juicing machine at Chai Station in Chester, known for its vegetarian and vegan Indian dishes.

Despite being rated as ‘Travelers’ Choice’ for the city, officers discovered the kitchen disorganised with a dirty floor filled with food debris and rat droppings.

The doorsteps of the kitchen had been gnawed by rodents, despite rat traps placed as an attempt to stop them.

Following the routine inspection on October 28, owner Mahendra Bhimji Gohil appeared before court due to the severity of the public health risk at the eatery dubbed ‘revolting’ and ‘disgusting’ by a judge.

On Monday, he was fined a total of £1,800 and ordered to pay £1,080 costs and a £190 victim surcharge after he pleaded guilty to 10 food safety and hygiene offences.

The 68-year-old explained the restaurant had never had a rat problem before and that it was opened only three days after lockdown ended, after being closed for three months.

He agreed that the standard of cleanliness was unacceptable and said he would try to improve it.

The District Judge described the pictures taken by hygiene inspectors as ‘stomach churning’ and ‘revolting’.

He added: ‘I am not surprised the local authority closed you down, quite right to do so, filthy conditions, disgusting.’

Councillor Karen Shore, the council’s deputy leader and Cabinet Member
for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport, highlighted that the vast majority of food establishments in Cheshire West operate to a high standard.

She added: ‘We have a duty to the public to take effective action where others do not make the same effort.

‘In this case, officers had repeatedly witnessed extremely poor conditions that posed a significant risk to the public and the fine imposed sends a clear and strong message that the courts will treat such situations seriously.’

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