Major UK motorway service station forced to shut food outlets as cockroaches wreak havoc
Four units inside the Welcome Break service had to shut immediately, with Starbucks and KFC among those impacted.
A major motorway service station on the M40 motorway has had to shut its food outlets after an outbreak of cockroaches wreaked havoc.
Following the discovery of the outbreak, four units inside the Welcome Break service near Oxford had to shut immediately, with Starbucks and KFC among those closing.
An investigation has been launched into alleged food hygiene offences that could have been committed that may have triggered the outbreak.
In addition, an emergency investigation has since been undertaken by environmental health officers who responded after a complaint from a member of the general public.
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In the aftermath of the investigation alongside statements and evidence given by the environmental health officers, it was confirmed by District Judge Rana that there had been an imminent health risk on May 20 and it had been satisfied.
Judge Rana added that the risk to the health of the public remained in place. The judge subsequently awarded South Oxfordshire District Council full costs of over £3,000 and made a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order.
Following the announcement of the order, Head of Housing and Environment at South Oxfordshire District Council Paul Fielding explained the measures the council had taken and how serious it had been.
He said: "When we received the initial complaint, our Environmental Health officers took immediate action and carried out an investigation at Welcome Break Services and served the hygiene emergency prohibition notice requiring the temporary closure of the affected businesses."
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Mr Fielding added: "The infestation presented a signification risk of contamination and a serious risk to public health and I'm pleased that the District Judge has now endorsed the action our officers took.
"Our officers will continue conducting regular inspections at the site in order to protect public health.
"They are also working with Welcome Break to address the issue and supporting their efforts to reopen the impacted units as soon as possible.”
