A takeaway has been shut down after evidence of rats, flies and cockroaches was found in food areas.
Environmental Health officers were called to the Chickster’s takeaway in Stanley Road in Kirkdale after local people complained about the general condition of the building, food preparation areas and problems with waste.
A inspection was initially carried out last Wednesday following the complaints and officers found evidence of rats, flies and cockroaches in the food storage and preparation rooms as well as the basement.
The council officials deemed hygiene and cleaning standards at the premises to be low meaning it posed an ‘imminent risk to health’.
The council then successfully applied for an emergency prohibition order which was granted at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Monday.
The order was granted by District Judge Lloyd who agreed that the premises must remain closed until agreement has been reached with Liverpool City Council that the Emergency Prohibition order can be removed.
It is the latest in a recent spate of food premises to be targeted by the council in its aim to ensure all premises are reaching the required hygiene standards.
In recent months popular city centre businesses including Lobster Pot and Piccolino have agreed to close voluntarily after inspections - while Vietnamese restaurant Mr Ho’s was forcibly shut down after serious health concerns were raised.
Councillor Steve Munby, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: “We were alerted by local residents and councillors about this takeaway and when they carried out an inspection we have had no choice but to have it shut down because it poses a risk to public health.
“We will of course work with the owners to support them to address the issues we have found and if they do this to our satisfaction they will be able to reopen.”
