THE former owner of a takeaway in Darlington has been fined for breaching hygiene regulations.

Jeffrey Savage, trading as Salt and Pepper, appeared at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

Read more: Extra CCTV installed in Darlington town centre

He was facing three charges of failing to comply with EU hygiene regulations on May 17, 2021.

Darlington Borough Council's environmental health team found a filthy kitchen and equipment and poor hygiene practices during a routine visit. 

Savage admitted failing to keep his premises clean, failing to keep equipment clean and failing to implement a food safety system based on the principles of hazard analysis at Salt and Pepper. 

Savage, of Brighton Road, Darlington, pleaded guilty and was fined £120 for each offence.

He will also have to pay court costs of £475 and a £36 surcharge to fund victim services.

It means he has a court bill totalling £871.

The takeaway in Larchfield Street, Darlington, was inspected by hygiene officers on May 17 last year and was given the lowest rating of zero, which means “urgent improvements” are necessary.

The business now has a different operator and a different name.

A Darlington Borough Council spokesperson said: "Environmental health ensured the business was properly cleaned before it was allowed to reopen and took court action in the interests of public health."

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