A RAT infestation has seen magistrates force a Tilehurst wholesaler to shut up shop until the company cleans up its act.
Last month, N&B Foods, was ordered to close after council investigators found rat droppings in its warehouse.
The Upton Road company bills itself as “leaders in food service” supplying takeaways including chicken shops, curry houses, pizzerias, kebab shops, chippies, and Chinese takeaways.
At a court hearing, magistrates were shown photographic evidence of the rat droppings on the floor and near a walk-in fridge and food packaging following their visit.
Oliver Capildeo, prosecuting, said: “The shutters to the main entrance have a 2cm gap, allowing rats to quite easily pass and repass through the premises.
“It does not prevent other rats coming in and exacerbating the infestation.
Mr Capildeo accused N&B Foods of poor housekeeping.
Council hygiene officers visited on two occasions, on Wednesday, August 31 and Wednesday, September 14.
A hearing planned for Friday, September 2, was adjourned.
The warehouse was forced to temporarily close after a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice was raised. In order for the closure to remain, it has to be confirmed at a Magistrates Court, which happened on Friday, September 16.
Vivek Odedra, a director of N&B Foods, was present.
As well as the closure, the business must pay £2,922.50 in costs to Reading Borough Council, which includes Mr Capildeo’s legal fee.
In the hearing, Mr Capildeo said: “The condition of the property was so deplorable it would be entirely appropriate for a full cost order to be me.
For his part, Mr Odedra said work is being undertaken to address the issues raised.
“I can only apologise for not being present when the council first came in,” he said. “The following day I was there myself to get it to where it needs to be.
“The pest control has been changed, I’m not using the guy previously, I’m using pest control from our Swindon branch.
“I’ve got builders there as we speak, and we’re getting pest proof gaps installed in the shutters, that’s the first thing they addressed.”
Mr Odedra went onto say rubber sealing and metal bars will be used to prevent rats from entering.
He also reassured magistrates that no food was prepared in the warehouse.
Addressing Mr Odedra, the lead magistrate said: “Some of the photos have been rather shocking.
“There’s clearly a need for you to take a tighter grip of what’s happening at your business.
“There’s a responsibility and accountability there, and that needs to be taken seriously.”
