A town centre chippy has been taken over by a new team who are hoping to turn it around after food inspectors discovered a “widespread rat infestation”.

The ownership of the Britannic Fish Bar in Gabriel’s Hill, Maidstone, has changed hands after it was given a zero-star hygiene rating following a visit from the council’s environmental health team on June 27.

The shop, which has previously shared photos of a five-star rating on social media, was hit with the poor hygiene score after rat droppings were found throughout the premises and an “unsatisfactory” standard of cleanliness.

During the visit, evidence of rodent activity was found both on the floor, underneath and behind kitchen equipment.

Images captured by the health officer show tens of rat droppings across the site, as well as a “bent and ill-fitting” drain cover in the chip room, which was noted as a possible entry point for the rodents.

Despite evidence of a “widespread rat infestation”, staff informed the officer that they were unaware of any pest activity.

KentOnline understands that shortly after the new rating was issued, new owners took over the chip shop and are awaiting a reinspection.

They were approached for a comment. They declined to be interviewed but did say they had fixed and cleared everything and had already been waiting three months for a re-inspection and had been told that could take up to another month.

At the time of their June visit, the inspector noted the fish bar should have had “adequate procedures in place to identify pest problems quickly” and control them, including with treatment and proofing, to prevent them from gaining access to the building.

They added: “You must ensure that treatment is carried out by a competent person to control the current infestation.

“You must carry out a thorough clean throughout the premises and maintain in a clean condition so that you can see if there is any rodent activity, reduce the risk of contamination and to identify areas where the rodents might be entering the premises.

“You need to look at the drainage and drainage covers within the premises to ensure that these are not allowing the rodents to enter the premises.”

During the visit, sink drainage pipes in the chip room were found leaking onto the floor.

Food was also at risk of contamination as takeaway bags and a kebab slicer were stored on surfaces full of dirt and debris.

The inside of several fridges, including the one where fish was kept, were also in a poor condition, and one had deteriorated to the point it could no longer be thoroughly cleaned.

The inspector said: “Do not use the Electrolux fridge and remove from the premises.

“There is a need for the whole premises to be thoroughly cleaned, including all floor, walls and ceiling surfaces and areas to the rear and underneath equipment.”

According to the report, enforcement revisits were to be carried out approximately one week and one month after the inspection to “determine compliance” with the legal requirements raised.

Details of that follow-up visit have not been released, but the report noted that whether improvements had been made or not, the chippy’s zero-star rating would remain.

Previous owners of the shop, Mehmet and Ahmet Arslan, ran Britannic Fish Bar for 10 years, during which they maintained a five-star rating, until it was sold and changed hands in March 2024.

Last month, KentOnline revealed Leah’s Bistro in the High Street had been given a one-star rating after it was also inspected in June.

Pictures showed insects landing on food and rodent droppings throughout the kitchen.

And in June, Pad Thai Live in the Royal Star Arcade shopping centre was shut after the discovery of a “serious infestation” of cockroaches and mice.

The environmental health team issued the business with a hygiene emergency prohibition notice after it found an “imminent risk” to public health.

In May, Sainsbury’s in Romney Place was given a score of two after a visit from the council’s Environmental Health Team, following reports of mouldy produce and shelves.

A Freedom of Information Act request allowed KentOnline to obtain the full report and reveal the full extent of the inspector’s findings, with shocking images.

The inspection followed a complaint by a member of the public.