Five food businesses in Croydon have been ordered to close after council inspectors discovered serious pest infestations posing risks to public health.
The closures follow investigations by Croydon Council’s food safety team, which found cockroach, rat and mouse infestations across the premises. Each establishment has been ordered to pay the council’s costs.
Catch Star Chippy at 85 Stoats Nest Road in Coulsdon was found to have an active cockroach infestation throughout the premises, resulting in a serious risk of food contamination. The business was ordered to pay costs of £1,382.93.
Chicago Pizza, Kebab and Burgers at 206b Addington Road in Selsdon had a serious rat infestation throughout food preparation, serving and storage areas. The outlet was ordered to pay £1,408.47 in costs.
The Orchard Public House at 112 Cherry Orchard Road was closed on two separate occasions owing to a serious mouse infestation throughout the kitchen, bar and cellar. The pub faces costs of £2,383.12.
Lifegrace Bookshop and Groceries, also trading as Tolis Food Takeaway, at 80 Parchmore Road in Thornton Heath was found to have a cockroach infestation in the shop and food preparation and storage rooms. It was ordered to pay £1,423.93.
Raggio Di Sole at 62 Southbridge Road in South Croydon had a mouse infestation throughout the premises and was ordered to pay costs of £1,314.53.
According to the council, all five infestations resulted in a serious risk of contamination of food.
The closures follow two outlets being shut in May. Colombo Express at 255 London Road was closed for mouse infestations, while Asafo at 313 Whitehorse Road in Selhurst was closed owing to cockroach infestations.
Since April 2024, the food safety team has carried out 691 food hygiene inspections across the borough.
The action forms part of Executive Mayor Jason Perry’s zero-tolerance approach to unsafe food practices, with regular inspections taking place to protect residents and uphold food hygiene standards through firm enforcement.
A council spokesperson said: “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.”
