A Bolton shop owner has been fined more than £12,000 for serious food safety offences.
James Chidume, owner of Maje Worldwide, an African goods shop on Newport Street in Bolton town centre, was prosecuted at Bolton Magistrates Court on 24 February 2025.
In October 2023, officers from the Food Health and Safety team were alerted to conditions in the premises following a complaint about smells coming from the shop.
When officers visited the shop, they described the conditions as some of the worse they had ever encountered.
The premises was found to have a strong offensive odour and was in a filthy condition.
Food debris was seen on the floor and there was evidence of a widespread infestation of rats and insects.
Rat droppings were found throughout the premises and the vermin had gnawed holes in walls and ceilings as well as food stores.
Bags of dried foods were found to be contaminated with live insects.
The premises had no running hot water and there was no evidence of adequate cleaning and disinfection practices being carried out.
This, along with the extent of the rat infestation, and visible defects to the electrics raised serious health and safety concerns with Environmental Health Officers who immediately served Mr Chidume with legal notices.
Due to the imminent risk to health, Mr Chidume voluntarily closed the business.
A team of officers spent two days removing and inspecting stock and a total of 2.7 tonnes of food was destroyed.
Following repairs, implementation of pest control procedures and extensive cleaning, the shop was allowed to re-open for trade on 17 October 2023.
In court Mr Chidume pleaded guilty to nine offences under food safety legislation.
He was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £800 and £10,000 costs to Bolton Council.
Cllr Richard Silvester, Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said:
“This shop was operating under dire and disgusting conditions, putting public health at serious risk, which is unacceptable.
“The huge costs incurred is a significant financial hit to the owner and serves as a reminder to anyone working in the food retail business of their legal obligation to maintain a safe and hygienic environment.”