Welly sticks the boot into filthy fish ‘n’ chips
TAKEAWAY FOUND IN GROSS CONDITION
WHEN council inspectors paid a visit to a filthy fish and chip shop they found faeces, pests and cigarette ends dumped in a bucket.
But what they didn’t expect to find was a wellington boot stuffed in the wall.
However, that was the case at Wingrove Chippy in Newcastle.
The West Road takeaway was handed a zero-star rating by Newcastle City Council during an unannounced inspection in October last year.
Bosses say they’ve since spent £6,000 bringing the takeaway up to scratch.
But during the visit, inspectors found everything from beetles to “filthy” washing machines.
Managers claimed they were “not aware” there was an active infestation.
The council said there were clear signs of pests, including droppings, gnawed plastic and bait trays.
In a report obtained via the Freedom of Information Act, an official wrote: “It was apparent during my inspection that the level of food hygiene awareness amongst yourself and your staff was inadequate.
“The standard of maintenance was
It was apparent ...that the level of food hygiene awareness amongst yourself and your staff was inadequate.
poor, tiles were cracked, there was a hole in the wall between the front kitchen and rear prep area.
“The standard of cleaning was poor throughout.” Owner Silzan Beg said he closed the venue for a week in light of the report. He insisted there is new management, but said the lack of a new rating is affecting his business.
Mr Beg, who has owned the chippy for a year, said: “I admit to all of that – there’s a reason we closed down.
“But that is the way I bought it. I knew it needed work doing, I was just waiting for the health and safety guys to come in and tell me what to do.”
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