Kentish Express Ashford & District
New owners turn restaurant around after one-star score
Council hygiene inspectors praise ownership
A once mould-hit Indian restaurant has turned a damning onestar rating into five following a change of ownership.
Tandoori Nights in Torrington Road, South Ashford, was handed the highest rank by council inspectors in a hygiene review last month.
It came after manager Ahmed Siraj says he had to clear mould from the walls when he took over in November.
Inspectors made an unannounced visit last month to review the one-star score and found improvements had been made to an “exceptionally high standard”.
Wye resident Mr Siraj, who had previously improved the Spice Garden in Little Burton in Kennington, said: “When I first took it on, it was not exactly the way it should have been.
“It is a really old restaurant and we have given it a thorough clean.
“We cleaned all the surfaces, removed mould from the walls and repaired a gap in the sink to stop water from falling through.
“The inspector has found everything to be in a good state and said we had done a good job in a short time as everything is as it should be.”
An environmental health officer from Ashford Borough Council says she was pleased to give out the five-star rating.
She said: “They have done everything I asked them to and a bit more so I have now uprated them to a five.
“It’s so good when new owners put the investment in to bring standards up.
“They were really proud of what they had achieved as well, so everyone wins.”
Last year, The Cod Father in Ashford’s Lower High Street also turned a one-star rating into five after inspectors said major improvement was necessary.
What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, Unit 4, Park Mall shopping centre, Ashford, TN24 8RY or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk
‘It’s so good when new owners put the investment in to bring standards up; they were really proud of what they had done...’ - ABC inspector