Our town has seen a recent spate of food establishments being temporarily closed due to rats and cockroaches found on the premises. 

During a routine inspection at The Peri Peri Chicken Hut, Whitley Street, Reading, officers witnessed widespread cockroach activity throughout the restaurant area and kitchen.

A large number of cockroaches were found in the salad bar, drink storage, under a hand wash basin, and behind the fridges.

Due to their various life stages, evidence suggests cockroaches may have been present at the property for more than three months.

The business is believed to have changed hands in 2019 but had failed to update its registration with the Council. 

Officers served a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice, immediately closing the restaurant due to the imminent risk to public health. 

Environmental Health officers will monitor the business closely, provide advice and information, and inspect the premises as soon as they are ready to reopen.

This comes as a member of the public reported extensive rat activity at ZAIKA The Paan Shop on Oxford Road. 

Two food safety officers visited the west Reading eatery in August after receiving an email from a concerned member of the public.

Officers found rat droppings in every corner of the front kitchen, as well as in the dry storage room.

Rats’ nests with chips, chicken bones, and other food waste were found in three fridges, along with blood stains, and several expired and unlabelled food products. The employee handwashing basin also showed no signs of recent use.

A pest control expert estimated rodent activity and droppings dated back almost a year.

While some rat holes were sealed in July 2024 by pest control technicians, the rat activity was not dealt with, and no cleaning was carried out at the premises as instructed.

After a tip-off from a concerned member of the public who had spotted rat activity inside Kenya Meats at 20 West Street, Council food safety officers quickly conducted a hygiene inspection visit on February 27, 2024.

Upon arrival, evidence of extensive rat activity was found throughout the premises. It included droppings in all food handling and storage areas, particularly in the butchery and basement.

Officers determined some products on display for sale on a shelf, fresh fruit and vegetables, the meat mincer and the hand-wash basin had all been exposed to rat contamination.

The affected stock was subsequently voluntarily surrendered and disposed of by the business.

It further emerged that the business had recently changed ownership, but had failed to properly register with Environmental Health, as is required by law.