Two Brent businesses which were infested with COCKROACHES have been forced to close.

High Crown Bakery, in Craven Park Road, Harlesden, and Moore Spice, in Engineers Way, Wembley, were closed by Brent Council as part of routine inspections last week.

They were shut after officers decided they posed an imminent threat to the public, with the decision ratified on Monday (March 2) when Emergency Prohibition Orders were issued by Willesden Magistrates’ Court.

Cockroaches in the kitchens of Moore Spice
Cockroaches in the kitchens of Moore Spice

Since then, High Crown Bakery has removed the imminent risk to health and been allowed to re-open. Moore Spice has not yet been able to demonstrate that the public risk has been removed and remains closed.

At the court hearing, High Crown Bakery was ordered by the court to pay costs of £1,559 with Moore Spice ordered to pay £1,968.

George Crane, lead member for the environment at Brent Council said: “Cockroaches in food and drink establishments are disgusting and entirely unacceptable.

"They pose a potential risk to health and will often result in immediate closure where consumer health is at risk.”

It comes just weeks after Harrow and Ealing were named, by Which?, in the top 10 worst places for food hygiene in the UK.