A restaurant in Stony Stratford has been ordered to pay more than £12,700 after Milton Keynes City Council (MKCC) found a rat infestation and poor hygiene conditions inside the premises.
Calcutta Brasserie, located at 7 St Pauls Court, was investigated by MKCC Environmental Health Officers in May last year following a complaint about rat activity in the area.
During the inspection, officers found evidence of a rat infestation inside the restaurant and noted that the premises was unclean. The business closed immediately and carried out a full cleaning and pest control programme before being permitted to reopen.
On February 13, Mr Ajmol Ali, representing Alaa Spice Limited, appeared before Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court.
The company pleaded guilty to five offences under the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013. The Court imposed a £10,000 fine, and awarded £2,753.64 in full costs to MKCC, bringing the total amount payable to £12,753.64.
“Our Environmental Health team play a vital role in protecting public health,” said Councillor Mick Legg, Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services.
“This case sends a clear message that businesses failing to meet legal hygiene standards will face robust action from the city council and the courts.”
In 2023, the restaurant received a one-out-of-five food hygiene rating and closed for a week to make improvements.
In a statement issued then, a spokesperson for the restaurant said: “We would like to reassure our valued customers that we remain fully committed to providing the highest standards of hygiene to match the high standard of our award winning food and beautiful building.
"We look forward to welcoming back the health department officials for a new rating and are confident of passing with flying colours.”
Pic: MKFM
