Westcliff Bangla Bazaar forced to close after rat infestation

Westcliff’s Bangla Bazaar shop, on London Road, has been hit with an immediate closure notice after an inspection by Southend Council’s environmental health officers on Tuesday. 

A “hygiene emergency prohibition notice” attached to the outside of the business states there is a “ significant and uncontrolled mice and rat infestation throughout the whole premises”.

The Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice was posted outside of the shop (Image: Gary Kandinsky)
The notice goes on to describe the extent of the infestation as “serious enough to present an actual risk of contamination of open and pre-packaged foods”.

The shop sells fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as a range of frozen and savoury food. 

Following the news of the shops closure Labour councillor for Westborough ward, Kevin Robinson, said: “Situations like these crops up occasionally. Obviously regulatory services have a very clear procedure over infestations, especially when it relates to premises where food is sold.

Councillor Kevin Robinson offered his thoughts on the notice (Image: Councillor Kevin Robinson)
“By and large, shopkeepers tend to work well with the council.

“Once procedures have been done and inspectors have been back, shops will then reopen or permanently close.”

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 in the UK, employers are obligated to provide a safe and healthy working environment. This duty extends to protecting workers from risks associated with rodent infestations such as rats.Southend Bangla Bazaar grocery shop has been issued a closure notice (Image: Google Maps)

A council spokesperson said: “A Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice has been issued to Southend Bangla Bazaar, London Road, Westcliff due to serious food hygiene concerns following inspection.

“The notice requires the immediate closure of the premises to protect public health. We are working with the business to ensure that necessary improvements are made before it can safely reopen.”

Following the issuing of a hygiene emergency prohibition notice, environmental health officers will then go to local magistrates to request a hygiene emergency prohibition order.

In order to reopen, businesses must undertake the required hygiene and safety improvements promptly and provide evidence of these changes to the local authority.

Once the improvements have been made, the local authority will conduct a reinspection to ensure that the issues have been resolved.

The business has been contacted for comment.