Luton restaurant owner fined for cockroach infestation and poor cleanliness

The owner of a Luton restaurant and takeaway has been fined by the council for food hygiene offences after an inspection found cockroaches on the premises.

The Vault Lounge (Taste of Africa) Ltd, trading as The Vault Lounge Dudubar, was fined a total of £4,464 and the company director, Mr Eyitouyo Ejuetami was fined £2,100 and also ordered to pay £840 victim surcharge at Luton Magistrates Court last week.

In August 2022, a council environmental health officer visited Vault Lounge Dudubar, 19-21 High Town Road, to investigate a customer complaint. Inside, the officer found poor food hygiene standards including poor cleanliness and storage practices and cockroach infestation.

The business was immediately closed using hygiene emergency prohibition powers. The Vault Lounge has been re-inspected and has a food hygiene rating of three.

Councillor Khtija Malik, portfolio holder for public health at Luton Council, said: "We will not hesitate to take action where businesses fail to put the safety of the public first. It is essential that food business owners take their responsibilities seriously when operating a food business and they must be directly involved with that business to ensure the safety of members of the public.

“All food businesses must have permanent, ongoing and adequate procedures in place to monitor and control pests and that includes using a competent and professional pest control company. Effective pest control also includes having good standards of cleanliness and maintenance of equipment, floors and surfaces.”