A RESTAURANT in Reading has reopened after being shuttered with a hygiene safety rating of 1 out of 5 by the council.
AR Foods Ltd, trading as Anjappar Chettinad Indian Restaurant on Kings Road, Reading, was visited by Council officers on July 23 after owners requested to have their rating re-assessed.
However during the visit, officers found evidence of a rodent infestation, including live rodents and rat droppings, in food storage and food handling areas of the restaurant.
Several food products in storage had been exposed to contamination, including bags of flour that had been gnawed by rodents.
Rats in particular are a significant health risk as they carry disease which can be transmitted through their fur and their excrement, including risk of diseases such as Salmonella and E. Coli.
While the restaurant voluntarily disposed of affected stock, officers at Reading Borough Council’s food and safety team issued a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice (HEPN).
The restaurant was immediately closed, and the legal process to force it to remain closed began.
Reading Magistrates Court agreed the HEPN on 31 July 2026, and a new Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order (HEPO) was issued.
The order required the premises to remain closed until the structural and pest control issues have been addressed, and a comprehensive deep clean has been completed.
Costs of £1,055 were also awarded to the council.
Now, following a revisit to the premises this week, officers are satisfied that there is no longer an imminent risk to health and the premises have been permitted to reopen.
Cllr Rachel Eden, Lead Councillor for Education and Public Health, said: “Residents and visitors to our town deserve confidence that the food they buy is safe to eat, and the majority of our resturants and cafes uphold high standards, so it’s very important the council takes robust action whenever businesses put customers at risk.
“The council’s Food & Safety team will continue to work with businesses to educate staff in the best hygiene practices and to ensure the highest levels of hygiene and safety standards are maintained.”
