Three eateries at the M40 services for Oxford received a zero-star food hygiene rating forcing them to close due to a cockroach infestation.

The M40 Welcome Break services at junction 8a near Wheatley were inspected by South Oxfordshire District Council Environmental Health officers on Monday, May 20.

KFC, Subway, and Chopstix all received a zero-star rating, the Food Standards Agency’s website has since revealed.

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It comes after Subway previously had a five-star food hygiene rating following an inspection on March 4.

Inspectors made a discovery of an outbreak of cockroaches in the food preparation and servery areas resulting in a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice.

KFC, Chopstix, and Starbucks all shut immediately as a significant risk of food contamination and an imminent risk to the customers’ health was posed.

Despite the Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order being lifted on June 17, the ratings will remain in place until a new inspection is carried out.

The eateries were closed down The eateries were closed down (Image: Newsquest) The inspection was prompted by a member of the public complaining to the council.

The Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order was lifted as officers considered that there was no longer an imminent risk to health. 

This means all three units that were forced to close have now been able to reopen.  

A spokesperson for the council said: “In line with Food Standards Agency and council policy and process, these ratings will remain in place until a new inspection is carried out.

“This will happen either as scheduled within the next 12 months, or the business can pay to have a rescore inspection take place sooner, within three months of a request being received. 

“In either case, the inspection will take place unannounced.

“We are working closely with the business to ensure continued monitoring and compliance.”

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Subway was also closed at the same time but the council confirmed it was not included as part of the Hygiene Prohibition Notice because there was “insufficient evidence” of an imminent risk to health to warrant its closure.

However, Welcome Break took the decision to also close Subway along with the others “as part of their own investigation and addressing of the issues”, the council added.

According to Google, Subway remains "temporarily closed" as white hoardings were placed around the business following the inspection.

The services on the M40 have remained open with Burger King, Waitrose and WHSmith still operating as normal throughout.

On Friday, May 31, during a hearing at Oxford Magistrates’ Court, District Judge Rana confirmed the imminent health risk on May 20.

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 spokesperson for Welcome Break at the time of the infestation said: “Four food units at Oxford Services have been closed due to a pest issue.

“These units will remain closed until the issue is resolved.

“We are cooperating with our local Environmental Health office to resolve the situation as soon as possible.

“We appreciate our customers’ patience and understanding during this time.”

The Oxford Mail has approached Welcome Break for an updated comment.