Rat Droppings See Two Southsea Eateries Hit with Hefty Fines
Two Southsea restaurants have been slammed with hefty fines after ignoring food safety warnings and letting hygiene slip to downright disgusting levels.
Shock Inspection Reveals Filthy Food Spots
Aubergine, a Bangladeshi/Indian restaurant on Albert Road, and Family House, a Chinese takeaway on Jessie Road, both pleaded guilty to multiple food safety breaches at portsmouth/" title="Portsmouth" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
A surprise visit by a Portsmouth City Council inspector last July uncovered filthy conditions at Aubergine. Grease, dirt, and food scraps were everywhere. Hand-washing facilities were neglected, and rodent bait had spilled near stored food—seriously risky stuff. Surfaces that touched food were caked in filth, and no proper food safety system was in place.
Fines and Failures: Owners Under Fire
Shamsul Khan, 44, the operator of Aubergine, admitted to five breaches and was slapped with a £4,200 fine plus nearly £1,500 in costs and surcharges. Although Khan made some improvements after the inspection—like fixing the storeroom floor, updating records, training staff, and calling in pest controllers—the council said he had a record of cleaning up only when forced and then letting standards slip again.
Similarly, Boon Ann Goh, 59, who runs Family House, pleaded guilty to eight hygiene offences. He was fined £3,500 and ordered to pay £1,394 in legal costs. The takeaway was so unhygienic it had to close immediately after the inspector found grease, dirt, food debris, and evidence of rat activity in their rear storage area.
Council Cracks Down on Sloppy Standards
Family House was allowed to reopen only after a deep clean, disinfection, pest-proofing, and pest control visits in August. Yet council evidence showed Goh also had a habit of ignoring advice and slipping back into poor management.
Cllr Robert New, Cabinet Member for Environment and Community Safety, said: “We worked hard with both businesses to maintain food safety standards. But they failed to follow advice and let hygiene standards slide. We had no choice but to take legal action to protect the public.”
