Chip Box 3 under new management after rat paw prints found in grease trays

Who can resist fish and chips on the pier? Well, you might have done if you’d been to Chip Box 3.

Now open under new management, a gruesome court hearing revealed the horrors lying behind the popular chippy’s food.

Health inspectors closed down Chip Box 3 after rat paw prints were found in grease trays, droppings scraped into a dust pan and more of the vermin’s poo was found in customer areas and described as being “wet”.

The ex-owner David Taylor was in such debt he was unable to declare bankruptcy, and blames this on the rats found to be having a nibble at his potatoes.

The first spotting of a rat was in November 2013, which happened to be by a customer in the chippy at the time.

Mr Scapens, prosecuting, told the court: “Droppings were found 10cm away from boxes which were being used to serve food to the public.

“Mandy Gallagher, the manager, agreed to close down the chip shop immediately saying she would telephone her boss, Mr Taylor.”

Mr Scapens said Taylor had tried to seal up holes made by rats using pan scourers and expanding foam.

The court had also heard up to five visits were needed by health officials until Chip Box 3 re-opened rat-free in February 2014.

Jane Gedrich, defending, said Taylor was forced to shut Chip Box 3 a year later due to growing debts, but he did continue to pay staff wages and business rates for as long as he could.

When he closed the chippy, debts stood at £40,000 – now having escalated to £60,000 he cannot afford to pay the fee to apply for bankruptcy.

Yummy

Now under new management, the chippy is back to its former glory

Fraser Smith, second year Geography student said: “It is a absolutely disgusting to hear an establishment was allowed to operate for so long serving food to members of the public with diabolical standards of food safety.

“It is most definitely a failure on part of the authorities.”

Fraser added: “It is however good to hear it is under new management and adding a positive note to the chip shops in Aberystwyth.”

New owner Mr Rowley told The Tab: “The recovery has been good and positive so far.

“We are doing our up-most best to restore the reputation to its best.

“We have introduced a number of specials aimed at students that are all very affordable.

“We just want to let people know all measures have been taken to ensure there will be no issues with the place under my management.”

The whole restaurant is now cleaner with a cosy seating arrangement.

Given the previous state of the chippy, its a massive turn around and three months into business now, the new owner is loving it and so are we.