A restaurant closed after a reported cockroach infestation has reopened.

Council inspectors are now satisfied that the vermin are gone and the Curry Garden in Dover can now trade again.

The High Street restaurant reopened yesterday after a week of closure.

A council notice on the door during that time said that there had been a cockroach infestation throughout the premises.

But a Dover District Council spokesman now said: “Following an inspection on Wednesday, September 27, DDC environmental health officers are satisfied that the health risk condition regarding the Curry Garden has been removed.

"It is therefore able to reopen.”

Owner Mohammed Islam today told the Mercury: “I am relieved it is over. It has all been worrying and upsetting.

"I invested a lot to modernise the premises to make sure it was in good condition.”

Mr Islam explained that he has contractors regularly checking for pests, using monitoring boxes that act as traps.

He said that environmental health inspectors from Dover District Council had first turned up on Wednesday, September 20, and found three dead roaches in a trap in the bar and three to four dead in a trap in the kitchen.

The council this Tuesday went to Canterbury Magistrates Court and were granted a hygiene emergency prohibition order.

That was lifted yesterday.

This means that the Indian and Bangladeshi restaurant could not open again until the health risk was removed.

Mr Islam said: “I brought in specialist contractors to deal with the problem. Then yesterday the council officials came two to three times and by that evening they said I could reopen the premises.”

The Curry Garden has been trading since 1965 and Mr Islam has been running it since November 2014.

The closure first became public on last Thursday when the restaurant website said that it was shut “until further notice” but no reason was given.

A council notice placed on the front door, dated last Friday, said that the council was going to court to get the order.

A statement on the door from officer Beverley Edmonson said there was a health risk because: “The premises was found to have evidence of a cockroach infestation throughout the premises including the bar and kitchen.”

Mr Islam said he disagreed, insisting the insects were only found in the bar and kitchen.

Advice on the council’s website about cockroaches say that they carry food poisoning germs and spread disease such as dysentery and gastroenteritis.

It states: “They will feed on anything includes faecal matter and food for human consumption.

“Contamination will occur when the insect comes into contact with food or work surfaces or through faecal contamination of foodstuffs.”

It adds that these insects can be found in premises where food is stored or handled.

They are nocturnal and spend the day hiding in cracks around drains and service ducting. Infestation can be brought in through laundry or food deliveries.

Professional pest controllers are needed, who use insecticidal spray for example, behindequipment, in vents and ducting.

A premises has to be retreated to kill nymphs as they emerge from their eggs.

Several visits are needed for successful treatment.