Fumigated Huddersfield restaurant back open after 'thorough disinfection'

-Credit: (Image: Yorkshire Live)
-Credit: (Image: Yorkshire Live)


A Huddersfield restaurant has been allowed to reopen after it satisfied council officers that it no longer posed a risk to public health.

Shama Balti restaurant in Bradford Road, Fartown, was issued with a prohibition order on August 30 and closed down after the discovery of a 'widespread rat infestation' during an inspection by Kirklees Council officers.

On Wednesday, September 11, Kirklees Council issued an update to Yorkshire Live on its work with the business to address the issues. The local authority said the restaurant's kitchen had been cleaned and disinfected and 'pest proofing' works completed, allowing the restaurant to resume trading.

Read more: Plans to close Kirklees libraries latest as community left 'bruised'

In a statement, Councillor Beverley Addy, Cabinet member for adult social care and health said: "Following the Closure of The Shama restaurant on Bradford Road, Fartown on the 28th August and a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order served on the 30th August, Kirklees Environmental Health Officers have worked with the business to ensure that effective pest proofing works were completed to prevent recurrence of the problem.

"A thorough clean and disinfection of the kitchen was also overseen. By the 3rd September Environmental Health Officers were satisfied that there was no longer an imminent risk to public health allowing the restaurant to reopen and resume trading.

"Officers will be returning to the premises to complete a full inspection, this will include checks that the pest prevention measures taken have been effective.

"Full advice and guidance were provided in relation to addressing the infestation and preventing recurrence in the future. As a result of this, the business has now established an ongoing contract with a professional pest control company to help it ensure it remains pest free. In the long term, the business will be inspected regularly as part of the usual Food Hygiene Rating Scheme."

The Indian restaurant was named Yorkshire's restaurant of the year in the 2018 English Curry Awards.

Get all the latest What’s On news straight to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter here.