A takeaway which was blasted by inspectors after mouse droppings were found across its premises has dramatically improved its hygiene practices.
Sultan Tandoori, on Grange Road West in Birkenhead, Wirral, was given a zero star hygiene rating after a damning inspection on July 1 which revealed mouse droppings were present in a container of coriander, inside a frying pan and on shelves where utensils were stored, as well as many other places.
But on Wednesday, a full reinspection was undertaken and the takeaway was given a four star hygiene rating.
In the original inspection on July 1, a wide array of health hazards were found at Sultan Tandoori.
As well as the widespread presence of mouse droppings, there was a dead rodent found underneath the chest freezer in the rear washing up area and a build-up of dirt, grease and food debris in the premises.
An apron worn by the chef was unclean and dirty wiping cloths were being used for cleaning.
After this inspection, the takeaway was instructed to close until inspectors returned and could see that conditions had improved.
On July 3, Wirral Council’s inspectors did return, only to rule that sufficient improvements had not been made and the takeaway could not reopen.
However, the next day a further inspection was undertaken which concluded the “imminent risk to health” had been eliminated and the restaurant was allowed to reopen.
But this was not sufficient to improve Sultan Tandoori’s zero star rating, for this to happen a further inspection after the premises reopens must take place.
On July 29, such an inspection took place and the takeaway was given a four star rating, just one below the maximum of five.
Praising the turnaround at the restaurant, the environmental health inspector’s report read: “It was good to see significant improvements to hygiene standards in the premises.”
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The report urged the restaurant’s owners to maintain this progress and asked that more steps be taken to improve hygiene standards further.
These included old mouse droppings being removed from the stairways in the premises and the replacement of “heavily stained and worn” food containers with new ones which were in better condition.
A spokesperson for Sultan Tandoori said the restaurant was back to normal now and the issues identified in the July 1 report had been resolved.
