Sprinkles Gelato Bounces Back from Cockroach Scandal to Earn Top Hygiene Star
From Cockroach Chaos to Crystal Clean
Sprinkles Gelato on Commercial Road faced a nightmare when health inspectors found “significant cockroach activity” in key food prep and storage areas. The fallout was harsh: a £5,000 fine for parent company Sprinkles Gelato Franchise Ltd, plus £100 compensation paid to a diner who was served a live cockroach. The scandal crushed the parlour’s reputation, slashing their hygiene rating to just one star last August—right as they tried to recover from the pandemic slump.
Five-Star Clean: The Sweet Taste of Redemption
Fast forward to November, and Sprinkles Gelato has made a miraculous turnaround, snagging a five-star hygiene rating—the highest possible. Assistant manager Monika Kraszewska, 28, who’s been with the branch for over three years, says the team refused to let the disaster define them.
“It was really hard for us, especially for me and the other manager. We said, ‘we’re going to make it work’ – and we have.”
Monika revealed business had taken a hit with delivery sales halved, but in-store customers and regulars are now flocking back.
New Management and Tough Training Get Results
The big shake-up didn’t stop there. Following the fine, Sprinkles brought in a new manager, promoted Monika to assistant manager, and rolled out strict new staff training. A company spokeswoman admitted the past few years had been brutal but insists the tougher, hands-on approach is paying off.
“We have put the staff and managers through more training courses to get everyone better educated moving forward. We are now more hands-on with the sites, and it’s working better.”
Sprinkles Gelato is now licking its wounds no more, proving even the worst hygiene horror can be wiped clean.
