A cockroach-infested KFC in must pay a £30,000 fine after being prosecuted by Cherwell District Council.
The defendant, franchisee SBR Retail Limited, pleaded guilty to four food hygiene offences in December and was sentenced at Oxford Magistrates' Court on Tuesday January 30.
As well as the cockroaches on the Bicester premises in Buckingham Road, dead flies were found in a walk-in fridge, chicken was stored in dirty containers, and a washbasin had faulty drainage.
READ MORE: Clothes store to shut down after 14 years of business
Councillor Phil Chapman, portfolio holder for healthy and safe communities for Cherwell District Council, said: “Hygienic places to eat out are a key part of what makes our towns attractive and enjoyable, so making sure that takeaways and restaurants are complying with the law is one of our crucial roles.
“We always look to work with businesses to help them follow best practice, but we will not hesitate to take formal enforcement action when necessary.
"This was a shocking case, which the judge agreed put public health at risk.
Take advantage of this New Year Oxford Mail online subscription offer.🗞
— Oxford Mail (@TheOxfordMail) January 17, 2024
You can sign up now for just £3 for three months, or get 50 per cent off an annual subscription during this limited time period.
Find out more about this offer here 👇https://t.co/uqPHofEaTQ pic.twitter.com/gSsrL0NTTK
“This verdict is a positive result for anyone who enjoys eating out in north Oxfordshire and should serve as a reminder to other food businesses to abide by the law.”
The offences were uncovered in August 2022 when the council’s health protection team visited the premises. The business voluntarily closed for a period, and since then, it has made improvements and now has a four-star rating.
As well as the £30,000 fine, the judge awarded Cherwell District Council costs of £5,395.88 and ordered the offender to pay a £2,000 victim surcharge.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel