Live and dead cockroaches found at Subway branch

Environmental health officers found live and dead cockroaches at a Subway branch in Derby, council documents have shown.

Officials conducted several visits to the store in Burton Road, Littleover, in January following a customer complaint about cockroaches.

A food hygiene inspection report, published by Derby City Council on Friday in response to a Freedom of information request, states a public health closure of the business was necessary - which was agreed on a voluntary basis due to the outlet's good trading history - for works to be carried out to enable "imminent risk" to be removed.

It added the business - which has reopened - agreed to "complete urgently" the works at the store.

Subway has been contacted for comment.

The Food Standards Agency lists the branch as having a zero food hygiene rating following the inspection, which means urgent improvement is necessary.

A report issued by the city council states the officer was "disappointed" to find standards had "deteriorated" and the premises had an "issue with cockroaches".

"As you are aware cockroaches carry food poisoning bacteria and can contaminate food and food surfaces that they come into contact with," it said.

"As a result of the evidence gathered, I was satisfied there was an imminent risk to health that required a formal closure to protect public health. This was completed on a voluntary basis due to your trading history."

The report added numerous gaps and cracks were noted through the structure of the premises which would provide "harbourage and breeding areas" for cockroaches.

It detailed live and dead cockroaches were found in the servery/ kitchen as well as the rear preparation room.

According to the report there was a cockroach egg case on the printer under the till in the servery as well as cockroaches under the cookie display unit.

It added: "During the inspection it became clear that your prerequisites in your food safety management system such as pest control and cleaning food safety had failed and ultimately compromised food safety.

"As discussed you must now review your controls and ensure that they are robust enough to manage your business effectively."

In the report the officer stated they recommended management complete regular audits to ensure that "standards are maintained" on an ongoing basis.

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