The Old Oak Tree Pub in Southall has been fined a total of £17,000 after inspectors found cockroaches in its kitchen and bedbugs in guest bedrooms. The action followed complaints from members of the public that prompted an investigation by Ealing Council.
Council investigation and legal action
Old Oak Tree Pub Ltd, which runs the pub on The Common, and its director, Darshan Singh Grewal, of Laburnum Grove, Hounslow, pleaded guilty at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court. Ealing Council officers began investigating the pub in 2023, carrying out a series of inspections of both the bar and its guest accommodation.
As well as the pest infestations, inspectors uncovered a number of hazards that put people at risk of slipping and falling. Officers initially gave the business advice and sent warning letters before escalating enforcement action and serving legal notices requiring improvements.
Failures to address problems
Follow-up visits found the problems had not been adequately addressed, eventually leading to the prosecution. The company and Mr Grewal also admitted two offences under the Public Health Act for failing to remedy problems involving cockroach and bedbug activity at the premises.
Magistrates were told the defendants had been given several opportunities to address the problems but had failed to do so. Despite warnings, advice and legal notices ordering action to be taken, inspectors said the problems were still not properly dealt with when they returned to the premises.
Fines and costs
Old Oak Tree Pub Ltd was fined £4,800, while Mr Grewal was fined £4,000. The defendants were also ordered to pay a £3,200 victim surcharge and £5,000 in prosecution costs. The fines, surcharge and costs amounted to a total of £17,000. Mr Grewal now has a criminal conviction as a result of the case.
Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, the council’s cabinet member for decent living incomes, said: “Businesses have a legal responsibility to provide safe and hygienic environments for their customers, visitors, and staff.
“In this case, our officers found repeated failures over a long period of time, despite providing advice and several opportunities for the business to address the problems.
“We will not hesitate to take enforcement action where companies fail to meet basic legal obligations and put public health or safety at risk.”
