MAGISTRATES have dished out a fine and costs of more than £1,700 to a Lye restaurant after an inspection found a string of hygiene problems.

Trading as High Street takeaway Dragon-i, V. City Limited pleaded guilty to eight offences under the food hygiene regulations at Dudley Magistrates Court on June 23.

The fine follows an inspection of the premises in May 2015 from Dudley Council’s environmental health officers, who found that floors and walls were not clean and maintained in good condition.

It was found that damaged equipment, such as chopping boards, frying baskets, a sieve and food containers, were being used in a condition likely to contaminate food, while the company had also not adequately assessed and dealt with food safety hazards at the takeaway, which had received a hygiene rating of only one out of five at the inspection.

Mr He, a director of V. City Limited, apologised to the court and said that the company no longer ran the business.

Magistrates imposed a fine of £800 and ordered the company to pay costs of £961 and a victim surcharge of £20.

Dudley Council confirmed after the case that the business now had a new owner and had recently received a satisfactory hygiene rating of three out of five.

Councillor Rachel Harris, cabinet member responsible for health, said: “Whilst we prefer to work with businesses to secure compliance with the law, we will not hesitate to take legal action against the minority of food businesses who do not take our advice on board and who fail to meet their legal responsibilities.

“Nearly half of all food outlets in the borough are achieving the top hygiene rating of five and the vast majority achieve a satisfactory rating of three or more.

“When planning a meal out, if you look at the online hygiene ratings, you get a glimpse of what is going on in the kitchen and get an idea of what is behind the scenes at the places where you shop.”

Hygiene ratings for Dudley's restaurants can be viewed online at www.dudley.gov.uk/foodsafety or at www.food.gov.uk/ratings