Balti told to clean up in inspectors' report

A well known Balti restaurant in Staffordshire has been warned to clean up its act after getting just a one star rating in a food inspection.

Ants were seen on the premises by council inspectors who reviewed the Lodge Balti in Birmingham Road, near Shenstone, and they also told owners to employ specialist cleaners. Lichfield District Council carried out the inspection on the restaurant.

The highest score that can be awarded is five stars and the lowest is zero stars.

But the manager of the restaurant today refuted the judgment of the inspectors, whose recommendations to management included to "cease the practice of burning any refuse on site".

It said: "During the inspection it was noted that there were several ants seen in the premises.

"Appropriate treatment methods must be used to eliminate these pests."

Inspectors also said the owners had to carry out work on the "defective" drainage system and secure the edge of the bin area to prevent rodents.

The report said work should also be carried out to repair a defective hot water tap on a wash hand basin, and to cement up a hole around pipework in the ceiling in the preparation room to help prevent rodents.

Inspectors said that thorough cleaning was needed in the kitchen, bin area, store room, extraction fans and window frame in the preparation room.

But Imam Ahmad, manager of Lodge Balti, said of the report: "I disagree with it. We are a busier restaurant so they were a bit harsher on us than the average restaurant.

"They want stricter controls. We do have an active pest control service. It's been put to their attention. It is a clean restaurant."