A takeaway in Reading has spoken out after receiving a zero-star hygiene rating after cockroaches were found on the premises. 

Peri Peri Chicken Hut, a takeaway at 37 Whitley Street, was given the minimum score after assessment on September 21, the Food Standards Agency's website shows.

This comes as Reading Borough Council revealed that an infestation of cockroaches was found throughout the eatery.

A spokesperson for Peri Peri Chicken Hut has come forward to say that they are saddened by the recent food hygiene score, and have now put procedures in place to ensure that they do better. 

They said "We were saddened to find that our internal procedures relating to pest control fell short of that required.

"Once we were made aware of the issue during the council inspection, we took the opportunity to close the restaurant."

Once aware of the scale of the infestation, the takeaway removed all stock from our store and carried out a complete refit of the business including new wall cladding, replacement of the flooring throughout the kitchen area, removal and relocation of the hand wash station, and removed all equipment for thorough cleaning.

They continued: "While the works were ongoing we also took the opportunity to retrain all of our staff in a Food Hygiene Level 2 course, and reviewed our HACCP and pest control policies.

"Before reopening we welcomed the team from Reading Borough Council to carry out a reinspection and they left satisfied that we were meeting all legal requirements."

They said that they have since updated their daily check and pest control system with the help of a new third-party food safety consultancy, who will visit them at an unannounced interval to ensure they can maintain improved standards and systems.

As previously reported, during another 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.