Rat-infested North London restaurant and sports bar selling alcohol without a licence both shut down

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A North London council has forced two businesses to close following investigations by its enforcement team while also seizing over 100 kilos of suspicious meat. A restaurant has been ordered to close after officers found a rat infestation, whilst a sports bar has been shut down after being found selling alcohol without a licence.

Harrow Council says it is 'putting pressure' on local businesses circumventing the rules in an attempt to crack down on rogue traders. The local authority has said businesses that put public health at risk will 'face the full force of the law'.

As well as these random visits, Harrow Council conducts enforcement activity through the council's 'days and nights of action', where officers target areas of the borough to keep them safe and clean. These events include antisocial behaviour enforcement, fly-tipping information, women's safety, and business compliance.

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Harrow Council Enforcement Notice
An enforcement notice placed on one of the businesses -Credit:Harrow Council

During the days and nights of action, officers have served notices, issued fines for fly-tipping, and handed out breaching orders to non-compliant businesses - with more expected to take place in the coming months. Throughout these, several arrests and cautions have also been made by the police.

Cabinet Member for Cleaner Streets and Public Protection, Cllr Pritesh Patel, said: "We've had some great success and we'll continue these days of action until we get it right for you. It's all part of our vision to restore pride in Harrow."

Harrow Sports Bar

Harrow Sports Bar
Harrow Sports Bar has been closed after being found selling alcohol without a licence -Credit:Harrow Council

Recent enforcement activity has resulted in the forced closure of a South Harrow bar after it was found to be operating without a licence. Despite numerous warnings from the council and police to stop selling alcohol and get a licence, Harrow Sports Bar continued to operate without one.

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Four visits between November and December found the premises selling alcohol to customers. The council claimed the bar's owner, Ms Ging, lied to officers by firstly denying any unlicensed activity had taken place, before later blaming her accountant for the mistakes.

Ms Ging also claimed she did not receive the notice despite these being sent via email, hand delivered and recorded delivery, according to the council. Following a hearing, the court ultimately granted full closure of the premises.

Cllr Patel said: "This owner has shown a blatant disregard for the law and putting people's safety at risk. It's a slap in the face to the many businesses who follow the rules and carry out their duty of care. Ms Ging knew they needed to obtain a licence but chose not to despite being advised and warned on numerous occasions. This is simply not on, and we will continue to crack down on this behaviour to keep our borough and our residents safe."

Rat infestation and 'dodgy meat'

Illegally Imported Meat, Harrow
Environmental Health officers seized 30 kilos of illegally imported pork -Credit:Harrow Council

Environmental Health uncovered a 'severe rat infestation' during a routine inspection of a restaurant on Rayners Lane. Officers found rat droppings in food, as well as on packaging and surfaces used for preparing food. These violations, alongside a dirty food storage unit, prompted officers to call for an immediate closure of the premises. The council says the restaurant cannot be named as the case is ongoing.

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The owners were ordered to pay £1,670 and shut the restaurant immediately. They will need to implement and maintain pest control before they are permitted to open again. Enforcement activity will continue in order to monitor the businesses failure to comply with food safety regulations.

In separate cases, more than 100 kilos of meat were seized and destroyed after officers found they were smoked in a residential garden and sold to restaurants. They also seized 30 kilos of illegally imported pork. Both cases followed no hygiene regulations, did not have the relevant licence, and there was no trace of where the meat came from, which the council highlighted 'could put public health at risk'.

Cllr Patel said: "Anyone that puts public health at risk will face the full force of law – just as these traders have. While most businesses do comply and follow the rules, it's concerning that some are operating like this. That's why we're putting the pressure on those flouting the rules and will continue to crack down on this sort of behaviour."

He added: "I would like to thank officers for the work carried out to ensure the safety of our residents, and ensuring food operators are complying with food safety laws."

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