A Chester restaurant has been fined more than £14,000 after serious food hygiene breaches were uncovered, including evidence of rats in food storage areas, unsafe food handling, and poor hygiene conditions.

Biryani Mama Chester Limited was sentenced at West Cheshire Magistrates' Court after pleading guilty to multiple food safety offences. The company was fined £14,600 and ordered to pay £1,190 in costs with two months to pay.

Company director Nikita Menon, 37, also pleaded guilty and was fined £320, ordered to pay a £128 victim surcharge, and £1,190 in costs.

Cheshire West and Chester Council's Environmental Health Officers first inspected the City Road restaurant on 19 February 2025, shortly after it registered as a new food business.

They found the premises dirty throughout, with significant pest activity, including rats present in areas where open food was being stored. Inspectors also identified poor structural conditions and inadequate cleaning practices.

Officers said the conditions posed an imminent risk to public health, including poor kitchen hygiene, unsafe food storage, inadequate temperature control, evidence of rodent activity, and unsuitable refuse storage.

Due to the seriousness of the conditions, the premises was closed immediately.

A follow-up visit on 21 February found some improvement, but ongoing evidence of rodent activity remained and permission to reopen was refused. A further inspection on 22 February found standards had improved sufficiently for reopening.

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However, during an interview under caution on 3 April 2025, manager Mr Pranav Mekala admitted the premises had fallen below required food safety standards, including failures in hygiene, cleaning, food storage, pest control, and structural condition, with limited oversight from directors.

Despite earlier improvements, a full inspection on 30 April 2025 found conditions had again deteriorated. Officers reported mouldy food, unsafe food temperatures, grease build-up, poor cleaning, and ongoing structural issues in the cellar creating continued pest risks.

In total, eight offences were brought against the business.

"Food safety is not optional," said Councillor Stuart Bingham. "The serious and repeated failings uncovered in this case fell well below the legal standards the public has a right to expect.

"The presence of pests and unsafe food handling practices created an unacceptable risk.

"Our Public Protection teams work with businesses to help them comply, but where standards remain poor or warnings are ignored, we will take decisive enforcement action. Protecting public health will always be our priority."