Pizza takeaway closed down over rat concern

A PIZZA takeaway shop in Doncaster has been ordered to shut after public health inspectors raised concerns about rats at the site.

Environmental health officers took action after they found what was described as significant rat activity during a routine inspection visit to Caldo Pizza’s premises, in Hexthorpe.

The officials from Doncaster Council who carried out the visit reported large quantities of rat droppings found throughout the premises including in food preparation areas.

And they warned that the rats, along with very poor structural conditions in the building, posed a significant risk to health.

The council has now been to the courts to get a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order against the Hexthorpe Road takeaway’s boss, Mojtaba Mohammed.

It means the food business must now remain closed until further notice.

Environmental Health Officers told Doncaster magistrates there was an imminent risk of injury to health from the infestation.

Magistrates issued a court order to enforce the closure and have told Mr Mohammed to pay £934.24 in costs, to be paid to the council.

A spokesman for the council said Mr Mohammed would be prosecuted for the offences at a later date.

He added environmental health officers from the local authority have been working closely with the proprietor, builders and a pest control contactor to try to get rid of the rats and prevent any recurrence of the infestation.

The premises will be reopened only following the satisfactory completion of works specified by the council and three clear pest control reports.

Councillor Cynthia Ransome, the council’s cabinet member for communities, said: “Protecting public health is a key priority.

“We have no hesitation in taking legal action and closing premises immediately where there is an imminent risk.”

No comment was available from Pizza, despite calls from The Star.

Courtesy of the Doncaster FreePress