THE new owner of an Oldham restaurant has spoken of his shock after the businessman he bought it from was fined more than £4,000 for breaching food hygiene regulations.

Mouse droppings were found at the Kebabish Peri Peri at West Street, on December 12, 2018, and various items of equipment and the towel dispenser were dirty.

There was accumulation of food debris on equipment, sink taps, the tgandoori over, bonza tin opener and filtersin canopy.# The premises were not being cleaned to an adequate standard and food debris was also found in the vegetable slicer, chopping boards were dirty and scoured and could be cleaned. The front display fridge was also dirty.

The then owner Sajad Hussain, 46, of Warren Lane, Oldham a director of the company which owned the shop, Zaike Dar Food Ltd, was fined £1,152 and ordered to pay £575 costs with £76 to victim services.

Zaike Dar Food was fined £3,000 with £575 costs and £170 to victim services.

Kebabish Peri Peri was bought by 21-year-old Adeel Shazad in May, last year.

He said: “I was shocked to find out the previous owner was being prosecuted.

“Since I took over we have had a four star rating. We are now conducting robust, vigorous mock inspections and have contracted with a renowned health and safety consultancy.

“We take hygiene very seriously. We have two cleaning staff. The council environment department has since given us the highest award for cleanliness, a four-star rating.

“We would like to assure all our customers that even after receiving this high hygiene standard of rating, we are improving on our standards in hygiene. Our quality in food is reflected in our reputation and our service will not be compromised going forward.

“We are sorry that in the past the business' hygiene had fallen below standard. We believe it was unacceptable. However, our turnaround was a result of my personal belief in hygiene. We will continue with the same zeal for the highest standards which have been recognised by Oldham Council.”