Five food businesses have been ordered to close after Croydon Council food safety officers uncovered serious pest infestations that posed a risk to the health of those who had eaten food from them.

The action forms part of Executive Mayor Jason Perry’s zero-tolerance approach to unsafe food practices, with regular inspections taking place across the borough to protect residents and uphold food hygiene standards through firm enforcement.

Since April 2024, the food safety team has carried out 691 food hygiene inspections. The following five premises have been closed recently by the Council owing to health risks.

Raggio Di Sole, at 62 Southbridge Road in South Croydon, had a mouse infestation throughout the premises, resulting in serious risk of contamination of food and were ordered to pay the Council’s costs of £1,314.53.

Lifegrace Bookshop and Groceries/Tolis Food Takeaway, at 80 Parchmore Road, Thornton Heath, had a cockroach infestation in the shop, food preparation and storage rooms, resulting in a serious risk of contamination of food. They were ordered to pay the Council’s costs of £1,423.93.

Chicago Pizza, Kebab and Burgers at 206b Addington Road, Selsdon, had a serious rat infestation throughout the food preparation, serving and storage areas resulting in a serious risk of contamination of food. They were ordered to pay the Council’s costs of £1,408.47.

The Orchard Public House at 112 Cherry Orchard Road, Croydon, was closed on two separate occasions owing to a serious mouse infestation throughout the kitchen, bar and cellar resulting in a significant risk of food contamination. They were ordered to pay the Council’s costs of £2,383.12.

Catch Star Chippy at 85 Stoats Nest Road, Coulsdon, had an active cockroach infestation throughout the premises resulting in a serious risk of food contamination. They were ordered to pay the Council’s costs of £1,382.93.

The five closures follow on from two food outlets being closed in May. Colombo Express at 255 London Road was closed for mouse infestations and Asafo at 313 Whitehorse Road, Selhurst, was closed owing to cockroach infestations. The pest infestations in both outlets resulted in a serious risk of contamination of food.

“Keeping residents safe is one of the most important responsibilities of this Council, and our food safety officers are out every week inspecting premises across the borough. Where businesses break the law and put public health at risk, we will act firmly and without hesitation.

“There is zero-tolerance for unsafe food practices in Croydon. If serious risks such as pest infestations are identified, we will not hesitate to close premises until problems are properly addressed.”

Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon

Residents can check their local takeaway’s food hygiene rating on the food standards agency website.

Any concerns about a food outlet can be reported on the Council’s website.