A cockroach infestation at an Oxford service station has closed down three businesses.

The M40 Welcome Break services on Thame Road were visited by South Oxfordshire Environmental Health Officers on Monday, May 20.

This was prompted after they received a complaint from a member of the public who had visited the service station at junction 8a near Wheatley.

During their investigation, officers found evidence of a cockroach infestation in the food preparation and servery areas of three outlets.

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Oxford Mail: KFC is one of the affected businesses at the services.KFC is one of the affected businesses at the services. (Image: Newsquest)

These included KFC, The Good Breakfast/Chopstix and Starbucks where a significant risk of food contamination and an imminent risk to the customers’ health was posed.

A Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice was placed on the service station the very same day meaning the impacted units at the site had to close immediately.

On Friday, May 31, during a hearing at Oxford Magistrates’ Court, District Judge Rana reviewed the evidence and statements provided by the officers.

She confirmed the imminent health risk on May 20 and was satisfied that the risk to health remained in place.

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Oxford Mail: One of the cockroaches discovered at the services.One of the cockroaches discovered at the services. (Image: South Oxfordshire District Council)

The judge then made a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order and also awarded full costs of just over £3,000 to South Oxfordshire District Council.

A criminal investigation into any food hygiene offences committed is ongoing and the three stores will remain closed until officers deem the health risk has been removed.

Paul Fielding, head of housing and environment at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “When we received the initial complaint, our environmental health officers took immediate action and carried out an investigation at Welcome Break Services and served the hygiene emergency prohibition notice requiring the temporary closure of the affected businesses.

"The infestation presented a signification risk of contamination and a serious risk to public health and I’m pleased that the District Judge has now endorsed the action our officers took.

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“Our officers will continue conducting regular inspections at the site in order to protect public health.

"They are also working with Welcome Break to address the issue and supporting their efforts to reopen the impacted units as soon as possible.” 

Cockroaches carry pathogens which can be passed to food, either directly or indirectly by cross-contamination.

They can contaminate foods, bottles, containers packaging and equipment while spreading diseases and food poisoning organisms which affect humans.

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Oxford Mail: The Oxford services were inspected on Monday, May 20.The Oxford services were inspected on Monday, May 20. (Image: Newsquest)

The Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice was issued to business owners Welcome Break Group Limited and applies to KFC, The Good Breakfast/Chopstix and Starbucks.

South Oxfordshire District Council say that officers continue to work with the business and are monitoring these and the other units at the site and will take further action if appropriate.

Burger King, Waitrose and WH Smith all remain open at the services in the meantime. 

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