LekThai in Great Yarmouth fined after cockroach infestation

Following a complaint, officers from Great Yarmouth Borough Council's environmental health team carried out an unannounced visit at Lek Thai on the seafront in November 2022.

The investigation found a widespread cockroach infestation throughout the premises including the food preparation area, bar and storerooms.

The council said the inspection also found the kitchen to be in a general unclean state, with floors and equipment "covered with congealed, greasy deposits and debris" with an "extensive number" of cockroaches being found on the floor and on equipment.

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A widespread infestation of cockroaches was found in 2022 (Image: Great Yarmouth Borough Council)

The ceiling was also found to have a large hole in it, with electrical wiring and insulation and exposed.

The council then issued a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice requiring the business to close immediately.

The owner of Lek Thai, Seetrang Ltd, appeared in Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court on February 6.

They plead guilty to five charges concerning a lack of cleaning, failing to protect food from contamination of cockroaches, inadequate pest control, poor ceiling structure and failure to put in place procedures to manage food safety.

Lek Thai is in Marine Parade in Great Yarmouth (Image: Google)

After the shock inspection, owner Tom Smith said he and his family had "stripped everything back" to tackle the issue after they had to close the business at the end of 2022.

Since re-opening the council has continued food safety inspections where it has noted a marked improvement in hygiene, awarding the restaurant a food hygiene rating of 3.

At the time of the inspection Mr Smith had said: "It is something we take very seriously.

"We have spent a lot of money to control it (the infestation) on our premises."

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Since the inspection in 2022, the council has seen a noted improvement (Image: Great Yarmouth Borough Council)

As well as the £15,000 fine, Lek Thai's owners were ordered to pay a £2,000 victim surcharge costs and £1,827.74 court costs.

After the case councillor Paul Wells,  Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s portfolio holder for environment and sustainability, licensing and waste said: "Great Yarmouth has many excellent food businesses that work hard to meet the required standards of food hygiene.

"However, there are unfortunately some occasions where some businesses fall short of the standards required.

"I hope that the action we have taken will send out a clear message to all businesses of the need to operate hygienically and the council's commitment to protecting residents."