A Birmingham city centre fish and chip shop, Rodroj Fish & Chips, has been fined and its operator sentenced following serious hygiene breaches discovered by council inspectors. The inspections revealed a toilet that opened directly into a room where food was prepared, along with a string of other food safety violations.
Environmental Health officers from Birmingham City Council conducted inspections at the Smallbrook Queensway venue on March 27 and May 11, 2023. During these visits, they identified multiple failures, including non-compliance with four hygiene improvement notices. These notices mandated accurate allergen information for all menu items, adequate staff training, implementation of permanent food safety procedures based on HACCP principles, and modifications to ensure toilets did not open directly into food handling areas.
Ibrahim Aksoy, from Smethwick, who ran the establishment, appeared at Birmingham magistrates on September 15, 2025. He pleaded guilty to nine offences under the Food Safety Act 1990, eight of which related specifically to conditions at the chip shop. Aksoy was fined £8,000 and received a seven-month jail sentence, suspended for two years. Additionally, he was banned from serving as a company director for four years.
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The council’s report, presented to the Licensing and Public Protection Committee on January 14, highlighted inadequate drainage facilities and insufficient staff training as further concerns. Efforts to contact Rodroj Fish & Chips have confirmed that the business has permanently closed.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of strict adherence to food safety regulations in food service establishments to protect public health.