The owner of a cockroach-infested restaurant in Maidstone has apologised after food hygiene officers shut his business.

The Tandoor Mahal, in Medway Street is closed until further notice after the business was discovered to be ridden with pests, and served an emergency hygiene prohibition notice, which was granted at Medway Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

Shiper Karim, owner of the restaurant, said: “I’m extremely disappointed, especially for my customers. This is first time since 1974 we faced this issue.”

The notice was also served because of poor maintenance and cleaning, which resulted in a significant risk of food contamination.

Placed outside the restaurant after officers from Maidstone Borough Council's food and safety team visited last week, the notice also said the business posed an “imminent risk to public health.”

Mr Shiper said the kitchen is undergoing a complete refurbishment and hopes the business will re-open soon.

He added: "I’m extremely sorry if I made any inconvenience for my customers."

The emergency order will remain in place until environmental health officers are satisfied sufficient changes have been made to remove any imminent health risks.

A spokesman for MBC, said: "Council officers from the food and safety team will continue to work with the business with the expectation it will be able to reopen in the near future when all necessary works have been undertaken."

In June 2018, the eatery was given a “good” hygiene rating by the council.

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