People and communities
Walsall banqueting venue fined over £23,000 for uncleanliness and rodent activity
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A banqueting hall and function suite in Walsall town centre has been prosecuted and fined over £23,000 after environmental health officers observed rodent activity and uncleanliness in several places within the establishment.
Lal Haveli in Bradford Street, Walsall, run by Tawa Place Limited and operated by Mr Abul Hussain (an award-winning Indian food chef), was subject to an unannounced inspection on 2 May 2023 following a complaint from a member of the public. Officers from the council’s Environmental Health team found rat droppings throughout the premises, including on the flooring of food preparation areas, in the basement and in decorative drapes in the banqueting hall. The kitchen was also found in an unclean state.
At the time, a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice was served and following close working with Environmental Health and a pest control contractor, the business was allowed to re-open on 9 May 2023.
The case was heard at Dudley Magistrates Court on 18 December 2024. Mr Hussain pleaded guilty to food hygiene offences at Lal Haveli in Walsall. He was fined £1,061 with victim surcharges of £424 and costs of £1,500, totalling £2,985. A collection order has been issued for Mr Hussain to make the first payment within 28 days.
Lal Haveli, trading as Tawa Place Limited, was fined £16,660 with victim surcharges of £2,000 and costs of £1,643, totalling £20,303.
The total fine of the prosecution was £23,288.
“ This is an establishment that has fell significantly short of food hygiene, safety and cleaning standards by failing to put in place the correct measures that are recognised standards in the industry. Furthermore, it poses a serious risk of ill health to the public.
I would like to thank our officers for their hard work in keeping us safe and in bringing this case to court, resulting in a huge fine. We want our local businesses to thrive and we will continue to work closely with food premises to ensure that standards are complied with. “
ENDS
Notes to editor:
- Residents are encouraged to report any concerns about hygiene of any food premises within the borough. Information on how to contact Environmental Health can be found on the Walsall Council website: https://go.walsall.gov.uk/business/food-businesses-and-their-safety
