A former food business in Gnosall that previously advertised itself as the “best Indian takeaway in Stafford” has been ordered to pay more than £30,000 in fines and costs following severe food hygiene failures.
The prosecution by Stafford Borough Council has prompted the current restaurant operating from the premises, Zaalhouse, to issue a statement reassuring local diners that the offences relate strictly to the previous management.
1-star hygiene rating and court prosecution
Environmental health officers from Stafford Borough Council launched an investigation after receiving reports of rats outside the premises of Zinga Indian Restaurant on Station Road, as well as waste being left beside food inside the kitchen.
During an inspection, council officers uncovered a catalogue of hygiene failures, resulting in the venue receiving a 1-star food hygiene rating (“Major Improvement Necessary”).
Inspectors found:
- Dirty chopping boards being used for preparing fresh vegetables.
- Poor standards of cleaning across kitchen work surfaces.
- Food stored in cracked and dirty containers, with items kept without lids beneath preparation counters.
- No hot water available in the staff wash hand basin.
Despite being served with formal Hygiene Improvement Notices, follow-up inspections revealed that standards of cleaning remained very poor and hand-washing facilities were still not functioning properly.
At Cannock Magistrates Court, the company behind the former takeaway, Gnosall Limited, and sole director Yaqub Ali, were convicted of six food hygiene offences covering dates in January and February 2024. The business was fined £20,000, ordered to pay £2,700 in council costs, and handed an £8,000 victim surcharge, totalling £30,700.
Councillor Ian Fordham, Cabinet Member for Environment at Stafford Borough Council, said: “The health and wellbeing of our community is one of our top priorities and we work to ensure that the proper hygiene standards are adhered to in restaurants, cafes and takeaways across the borough.
”We want local businesses to flourish and we are here to provide the advice and measures so they do not fall foul of the important food hygiene regulations that are in place to keep people safe. I would recommend all our residents and visitors to take the time to check the food hygiene ratings of a venue before eating out.”
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Current business Zaalhouse confirms complete overhaul
Following publicity surrounding the court outcome, the current operator of the Station Road premises, Zaalhouse, moved quickly to address community concern and confirm the prosecution has no connection to their current operation.
Aziz, the owner of Zaalhouse, explained that after previously carrying out work for the old business, he made the decision to take over the premises specifically to eliminate past hygiene issues and turn standards around under entirely fresh ownership.
Before opening as Zaalhouse, the building underwent an extensive overhaul to bring it up to strict environmental health standards, including:
- Fully resurfacing the floors across the kitchen, takeaway counter, and restaurant dining area.
- Fitting a completely new kitchen ceiling.
- Replacing old food preparation stations and kitchen equipment.
- Installing a fully operational hot water supply.
Aziz confirmed that the kitchen operates to rigorous cleaning regimes before opening and after closing each day, and asked the community for their continued backing.
He said: “This is a message to tell everyone who is a regular, and new and existing customers, that we are not Zinga, we are Zaalhouse. New owners, refurbished, and will do anything for anyone. We ourselves have built an amazing bond and friendship with many of you in the village and hope that people will support us.”
Zaalhouse continues to trade as normal on Station Road in Gnosall.
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