Takeaway's high hopesto improve

Shalimar Gardens on Talbot Road was closed in January after environmental health officers found a dead rat and rat droppings on the premises.

The restaurant reopened its doors following a huge refurbishment, and staff now hope to repair the damage caused by a damning hygiene report.

Richard James, assistant manager at Shalimar Gardens, said: “It’s had new wallpapering all the way through the hallways. The flooring’s all been done. It’s all been cleaned up and had wooden flooring put down.

“The kitchen side of things has all been refurbished and cleaned.

“It now looks the part.”

Shalimar Gardens reopened in February as it was determined that the major problems that caused it to be closed had been resolved.

Mr James added that he hoped the restaurant’s new look, along with a change of kitchen staff, would help the business improve.

He said: “We had a problem with our old chef dropping food and not cleaning up, which was attracting the rats.

“We have got a new chef now and he’s fantastic.

“He has a degree in what he does and is very clean.

“It’s a shame what went on but now we have got to get back to normal and get the word out that we are doing everything we can.”