Court fines Luton restaurant after inspection reveals cockroach infestation

A Luton restaurant and its director have been ordered to pay more than £7,000 after environmental health officers discovered a cockroach infestation.

Following a customer complaint officers visited The Vault Lounge Dudubar and found poor food hygiene standards including poor cleanliness and storage practices and an infestation of cockroaches. The business was immediately closed at the time using hygiene emergency prohibition powers.

The business, The Vault Lounge (Taste of Africa) Ltd, was fined £2,100 and ordered to pay £840 victim surcharge and costs of £1,524 and the company director, Mr Eyitouyo Ejuetami was fined £2,100 and also ordered to pay £840 victim surcharge at Luton Magistrates Court on 31 October 2023.

Cllr Khtija Malik, portfolio holder for public health at Luton Council, said "We will not hesitate to take action where businesses fail to put the safety of the public first. It is essential that food business owners take their responsibilities seriously when operating a food business and they must be directly involved with that business to ensure the safety of members of the public.

"All food businesses must have permanent, ongoing and adequate procedures in place to monitor and control pests and that includes using a competent and professional pest control company. Effective pest control also includes having good standards of cleanliness and maintenance of equipment, floors and surfaces."

The business has since been re-inspected and has a food hygiene rating of three.

Image: Shutterstock