April 11, 2018 6.26 pm This story is over 71 months old

Lincoln Mexican takeaway owner says one star hygiene rating is unfair

“I am not happy, it isn’t fair.”
Cactus owner Amir Khoby believes the hygiene rating his takeaway received is harsh. Photo: The Lincolnite

The owner of a Mexican takeaway in Lincoln said that hygiene ratings are harsh and unfair after his restaurant was awarded a score of one out of five.

Cactus on Lincoln High Street received the low rating from City of Lincoln Council inspectors after a visit on March 6.

The report said major improvement is necessary, particularly for food handling, cleanliness, and the state of the building.

When The Lincolnite turned up to ask the takeaway about its recent hygiene rating, manager Amir Khoby, who has owned the business for eight years, said the rating was “unfair and harsh” and he invited us into the kitchen to take a look.

Inside the kitchen at Cactus. Photo: The Lincolnite

Photo: The Lincolnite

Photo: The Lincolnite

Mr Khoby said the council environmental inspectors told him the painting on the walls needed fixing, along with a deep clean of the kitchen.

They found the fridge door handle broken and rubbish outside the takeaway, which he said belonged to another premises.

Mr Khoby told The Lincolnite: “Four weeks later they came back (on April 10) in the evening and told me everything was fine, but when I asked about getting the star back, they said they can revisit in three months, but that would cost £180.

“They also took a photo of the bin, but everyone puts their rubbish in the bin. There is oil at the back of the shop, waiting to be collected, which is not my fault.

“I am not happy, it isn’t fair. If they say it is all spot on I think I should get my star back.

“It is the only Mexican takeaway in Lincoln, people appreciate it and business is good.”