A kebab shop in Swindon will remain closed after a judge ruled there was a serious risk to public health due to a severe rat infestation.
Shinwari Kebab in Manchester Road was shut down by Swindon Borough Council’s Environmental Health team earlier this month after a complaint from a member of the public about rats inside the premises.
During an inspection on Wednesday (5 June), officers discovered the smell of rodent urine, rat droppings and signs of gnawing throughout the shop – including in food preparation areas.
Droppings and urine stains were found on spice containers, and gnawed flour bags were surrounded by faeces.
Structural issues such as holes in walls, floors and doors were also noted. Some gaps had been poorly filled with expanding foam, which had been chewed and displaced by the rodents.
Swindon Magistrates Court was told that hygiene standards were extremely poor, with visible dirt and rodent smears on floors and walls.
There were no suitable cleaning chemicals on site to disinfect pest-contaminated surfaces, and food equipment was stored openly in areas where rodent activity was evident.
The court heard that personal hygiene and handwashing practices were lacking, and the business initially denied any rodent problem despite clear evidence. No professional pest control had been engaged to manage the situation.
District Judge Kirsty Allman imposed a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order during a hearing on Wednesday (19 June), keeping the shop closed until the Council is satisfied it no longer poses a risk to health.
The business is owned by sole director Izoitullah Nazari, who attended the court hearing. The Council was awarded costs of £2,000.
A spokesperson for Swindon Borough Council said: “The emergency prohibition order allows us to keep the shop closed until we are confident it is safe for customers.
“If the owners believe the risks are under control, they must contact us so our environmental health officers can assess the premises and support them in making it safe to reopen.”
Councillor Jim Grant, Cabinet Member for Joint Working and Communities, said: “The conditions found in this kebab shop were appalling and the photos clearly show that rats were running amok, despite the owners’ initial denial that there was a problem.
“I’d like to personally thank the member of the public who reported this infestation to us, so our environmental health officers could take prompt action to protect the health of customers.
“This is an extreme case, but it is a reminder to all food business owners of their responsibilities when it comes to food hygiene.
“We would encourage all food business owners to engage professional pest controllers at the first of any pests rather than try to deal with it themselves.
“Thankfully, we have hundreds of businesses who do a great job in adhering to all the regulations and it is only a very small minority who let their standards drop.
“If you want to check the rating of a food business in Swindon you can visit the Food Standards Agency website for the latest food hygiene score awarded by our team.”
