Northampton takeaway given zero-star food hygiene rating after rats found near kitchen
A Northampton takeaway was given the lowest possible food hygiene rating after council inspectors found rat droppings in a room leading directly off its kitchen.
Smash N Wings, in Harlestone Road, Duston, was given a rating of zero out of five following an inspection by West Northamptonshire Council on April 21, 2026.
Inspectors also found dirty kitchen equipment, food stored incorrectly and problems with fridge and freezer temperatures.
The inspection report said the standard of cleaning in the kitchens was “extremely poor”.
Rat droppings were found in an electrical storage room next to the kitchen. The council served an improvement notice requiring the business to bring in a pest control contractor.
Inspectors found cheese stored directly on top of raw chicken, with a bag of raw mince above it.
Raw and ready-to-eat food was also being prepared on chopping boards next to each other, creating a risk of cross-contamination.
The freezer was running at -3C, with food starting to defrost. Sauces being kept hot for customers were measured at just 13C, while sauces that needed refrigeration were being left out at room temperature.
The report also noted there was no hot water at the kitchen hand basin, and no soap or hand-drying facilities.
The council said food handlers “did not demonstrate adequate knowledge with regards to food safety and hygiene”.
It also found there were no food training records, no temperature checks being carried out and no written food safety management procedure.
The business was told to carry out a deep clean and make repairs to parts of the kitchen, including an open drainage pipe and damaged flooring.
In a letter dated April 28, the council confirmed Smash N Wings had been given a food hygiene rating of zero.
A follow-up visit took place on May 13 to check whether the business had complied with improvement notices.
The inspecting officer recorded: “Pleased to see positive improvements have been made and notices complied with.”
However, the officer said another visit would be carried out when two further notices, relating to staff training and food safety management, had expired.
The documents released by the council do not give a later food hygiene rating for the takeaway.
The business has been contacted for comment.