Indian restaurant is keen to show it's cleaned up its act

AN INDIAN restaurateur has opened up his kitchen to prove he has nothing to hide since cleaning up a string of hygiene problems.

Umar Ali, co-owner of The Sitar in Victoria Road, St Peter Port, said business had been hit by around 50% since details of the 'historic' mice infestation and other hygiene issues emerged.

But Mr Ali has since insisted that these problems were cleaned up back in October just days after the inspection, vowing such poor standards would never return, after being fined in court for the breaches.

Both Mr Ali and Nur Miah, who co-owns both The Sitar and the Indian Cottage, Southside, St Sampson's, were fined a total of £22,000 after admitting a string of offences.

'This has affected our livelihoods. It takes years to build a reputation, but it can be all over in one day,' said Mr Ali. 'I just want to assure customers we are complying with the rules. Things have improved. Since October we have been inspected twice more and they are happy with everything.'