The owners and manager of a Southall cash and carry have been issued fines totalling more than £27,000 after persistently ignoring demands to improve its hygiene standards.  

Ealing Council's food safety team told a hearing at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court that an inspection of Sira Cash & Carry, 43 South Road, had resulted in a zero rating - meaning 'urgent improvement necessary'.

The team also explained how, since 2009, eight food hygiene inspections had been carried out at Sira.

In that time, it has not received a food hygiene rating higher than two out of five, which means 'improvement necessary'.

The latest of the two inspections resulted in a zero rating.

At the most recent inspection, officers encountered 'very poor' standards, with pest activity spotted throughout the premises – including rodent droppings on shelving next to food on the shop floor and in the warehouse.

Sira Cash & Carry was served with a Hygiene Improvement Notice under the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 for failing to put in place adequate procedures to control pests.

The inspection resulted in a food hygiene rating of zero and little evidence of improvement was found at a follow-up visit the council says.

Pictures of Sira Cash & Carry's hygiene violations (credit: Ealing Council).

At the magistrates' hearing, Streamquote Limited (the business owner) and the manager of the company, Ms Kuljit Chagger, were found guilty of food hygiene offences and were ordered to pay more than £28,000.

This consisted of fines of £26,400 for Streamquote Limited and £984 for Ms Chagger, and the council's court costs of £1,610.

The business appealed the magistrates' sentencing decision on 2 February 2024 but the court refused the appeal.

Councillor Louise Brett, the council's cabinet member for decent living incomes, said: "Rodent infestations in food businesses put people at a very real risk of sickness.

"I am very pleased that the court recognised the seriousness of these offences, imposed appropriate fines, and refused the appeal.

"Ealing Council's food safety team will take swift action if a business is not complying with the law.

"They do a fantastic job protecting residents and supporting businesses to ensure that all food sold in the borough is safe and legal."

Ealing Council is responsible for ensuring that all food businesses in the borough comply with hygiene regulations.

For more information on food safety in the borough, click here.

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