Harlington Tandoori faced a hefty fine of £22,498.75 after inspectors discovered hundreds of cockroaches, leading to a hygiene order for the manager.
The restaurant is near Heathrow Airport. The court ordered them to pay £22,498.75 after they admitted to seven hygiene offenses at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on January 28th.
A customer first noticed a cockroach crawling across their table in September 2023, prompting Hillingdon Council to investigate.
Inspectors found cockroaches everywhere: in the bar, kitchen, and stockroom. Cooking equipment was dirty, and food was not labelled properly.
Joshua Money closed the restaurant immediately. Inspectors then found more problems later after it reopened in October, and again in February 2024.
The restaurant had past problems, and in 2018, they were fined £5,000 involving rats and cockroaches too.
Money got a £512 fine himself. He must pay a £205 victim surcharge, and £1,890 for prosecution costs, bringing his total bill to £2,607.
Furthermore, he can’t manage a food business now, as this hygiene order lasts 18 months.
The restaurant also got a larger fine. Trading as Heathrow Tandoori Limited, the fine was £16,000. They pay a £2,000 surcharge, with costs adding £1,891.75 more, bringing their total to £19,891.75.
The council hopes others learn that food hygiene neglect won’t be tolerated, emphasizing that training is very important for businesses.
