Mould-ridden takeaway is city’s dirtiest
INSPECTORS FOUND ‘FILTHY’ CONDITIONS AT SHALIMAR
A “filthy” mould-encrusted shop in Cowgate is Newcastle’s ‘dirtiest takeaway.’
Horrified inspectors found grease splattered throughout Shalimar, which didn’t even have soap at the wash basin for staff.
Raw meat was kept in an uncovered bucket under a sink while the pizza shop was branded a magnet for bacteria.
A food hygiene report states: “The inside of one of the fridges was filthy, the units were covered in mould and the shelving covered in food.”
The Ponteland Road takeaway currently possesses the only zero star food hygiene rating in the city.
Newcastle City Council’s warned bosses they could be hauled to court due to the shocking conditions.
The report said: “In view of the extremely poor standard, a further inspection will be carried out.
“If there is not a substantial improvement evident by the time the re-inspection is carried out, consideration will be given to the institution of legal proceedings against you.”
Customers have since slammed the shop after it received the dubious accolade.
One outraged diner, following a meal they branded disgusting, wrote on Facebook: “No wonder it got a zero rating – close it down.”
Staff at the takeaway said the owner “was on holiday” and couldn’t comment.
He added: “The inspection has been paid for and we are just waiting for the council to come out and re-inspect us.”
When officials visited the store, staff were scoffing pizza as they worked – even thought the dough mixer was “filthy”.
Pictures obtained via the Freedom of Information Act lay expose the grimy conditions inside.
Blender blades caked in grease, leaking fridges and dirty overalls were snapped by inspectors – with the blades filthy after staff claiming they had been cleaned.
And the report states employees failed to get even the basics right.
The report added: “One staff member was seen to ‘rinse’ their hands in running water with no soap to ‘wash’ their hands.
“The practices seen during my inspection, together with the lack of staff awareness of food safety systems, indicate a lack of management controls over food operations in your business.”
A Newcastle City Council spokesperson said the re-inspection is yet to be carried out.