Hove restaurant owner billed £10,000 for greasy premises

By Jennie Faughnan

A Hove restaurant owner has been ordered to pay more than £10,000 after inspectors deemed his greasy premises a health risk.

Pascal Said Madjoudj of Brasserie Pascal, in Queens Place, Hove, pleaded guilty to 16 food hygiene breaches after he was taken to court.

Officials told Brighton magistrates they had found a “significant” build up of grease which posed a fire risk, as well as dirty equipment and a fruit fly infestation.

The restaurant has since closed after the firm running it was placed into voluntary liquidation.

But, after Brighton and Hove City Council pursued the owner through the courts, Mr Madjoudj was ordered to pay a fine of £8,000 together with £2.769.26 costs and £50 Victim Surcharge – a total of £10,729.26.

The issue was brought to light during an initial routine hygiene inspection on February 11.

It was reported the hot and cold water to the kitchen hand basin had been turned off and there was no soap for washing hands.

Officials also claimed the meat slicer and fly machine needed cleaning, there was an infestation of fruit flies and there was a significant build up of grease, dirt and food debris on the walls and floor.

In addition grease filters were missing while records of hygiene checks and staff training had not been filled out since June last year.

Teams revisited on March 12 and the inspector reported things had not improved much.

Mr Madjoudj was sentenced at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on May 1.

During the court hearing, the defendant Mr Madjoudj admitted that he ran the Brasserie and three other restaurants in Brighton and Hove.

The District Judge told Mr Madjoudj that the charges represented a kitchen that was in an insanitary state and was putting the public at risk.

When the Judge asked why the state of the restaurant had gotten so bad, Mr Madjoudj blamed the recession and the fact that there was a manager in charge.

Councilor Pete West, chairman of the council’s environment committee, said: “This was an extreme case and the business failed to take notice of our officers’ advice to clean up.

“We understand that businesses have been affected by the recession but by far the majority of food outlets in the city take hygiene extremely seriously and many achieve a higher standard than is required.

“We will continue to work with businesses to improve standards and we will continue to pursue those who refuse to take action when needed and put their customers at risk.”