THE OWNER of a popular curry mile restaurant last week said he was not to blame for a cockroach infestation, claiming: "cockroaches can happen to anybody."
Student favourite Al Bilal has been fined more than £13,000 for having a kitchen infested with cockroaches.
Al Bilal were slapped with a £13,200 fine after admitting there were insects crawling around the kitchen, bar and restaurant area.
Manchester City Council shut the restaurant down for nine days in August last year after Health Protection Officers discovered the kitchen in a disgusting state.
Insects were living in equipment, food containers and drinking glasses – and they had even got into the pipework.
Poppadoms and other ready-to-eat food were left uncovered and unprotected from contamination.
The Environmental Health Public Protection Officer also found dirt and leftover food under cookers and on walls, and dirty fridges and food storage bins.
"We can't help it. It's natural. They came out of the onion bags, which we order from Holland. So they were not English cockroaches they were German cockroaches", said the restaurant owner.
The Wilmslow Road sponsor of Manchester Medics Women's FC pleaded guilty to six offences and was ordered to pay a £2,000 fine for each, as well as £1,200 in additional costs at a hearing at Manchester Magistrates' Court on Wednesday 9th April.
"The conditions in Al Bilal were completely unacceptable and the level of fine reflects how seriously we view this offence," said Councillor Eddy Newman, Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services.
"The City Council will not tolerate any food business which operates without regard for public safety, and this case should serve as a warning to anyone who thinks they can get away with poor standards of food hygiene."
The restaurant owner added that they have now cleaned up their act.
"We are now the cleanest restaurant in the street. We've been inspected three times including just before the hearing," said the restaurant owner.
"The infestation happened while I was on holiday last year. We now make sure the kitchens are cleaned every week. I am happy."
The kitchens are now cleaned "once a week" - that makes it ok then? Daily cleaning is needed but this is ridiculous.
As for the onions coming from Holland meaning the cockroaches are German - What is going on????? That doesn't make sense?????
People need to be imprisoned for these offences - I feel shocked that I have eaten there. Never again!!
well that sounds nice.. reservation for two please!! u shud pay for cleaner or sumat.. n if ur still getin your food from holland the cockroaches will stil be coming wont they??
Hmmm! Guess where I won't be eatting ... I would have thought the kitchen would need constant cleaning not just "once a week" bluurrrgh!