A cake shop in breach of food and hygiene standards has been fined thousands of pounds after its director pleaded guilty in court.

Dudley Council’s environmental health officers visited  Kam Cake Shop in Amblecote in July 2021 where evidence of mouse activity was found. An emergency closure notice was served on the company and the takeaway remained closed while the pest activity was dealt with. 

A case was brought against the company, Kam Cake Shop Ltd  and its director, Karampal Singh Virk, which was heard in Dudley Magistrates’ Court on August 31.

The council’s case highlighted four offences including failure to keep the premises clean, a failure to ensure that adequate pest control procedures were in place, a failure to prevent contamination of wrapped materials whilst being stored and a failure to provide adequate hand washing facilities.

Virk pleaded guilty to all four offences on behalf of the company and as director. The company was fined £8,000 and ordered to pay costs at £813 and a victim surcharge of £190, payable at £750 per month. Virk was fined £460 and ordered to pay costs at £813 and victim surcharge of £46. Councillor Ian Bevan, cabinet member for public health, said:

"This is another successful case brought about thanks to the thorough investigations by our environmental health officers.

"Let this be a warning to other businesses, we will take action where businesses fail to comply to standards and not hesitate to take people and companies to court."