Key Points
- Pizza Hut in Chingford Mount Road fined over £39,000 for rat infestation and poor hygiene.
- Inspection by Waltham Forest Council in November 2021 revealed rat droppings, inadequate pest control, and lack of cleanliness.
- The restaurant was immediately closed down by environmental health officers.
- GH Pizzas Ltd director Alhassan Goussous pled guilty to pest control failures at Stratford Magistrates’ Court on 14 October 2025.
- Councillor Khevyn Limbajee emphasised seriousness of the offence and the council’s commitment to public health.
- Pizza Hut corporate confirmed the Chingford site is a franchise and stated corrective actions were taken before reopening.
- The pizzeria now holds a Food Standard Agency rating of 3/5, rated “generally satisfactory” as of June 2025.
- GH Pizzas reportedly has annual turnover of £14.5 million with several fast-food franchises across London.
What led to the Pizza Hut’s closure in East London?
As reported by Katie Schwirtz of MyLondon, the Pizza Hut located on Chingford Mount Road was closed in November 2021 following a council environmental health inspection by Waltham Forest Council’s team. The inspection uncovered a serious rat infestation including droppings throughout the premises. Officials also found pest proofing to be inadequate and cleanliness standards unacceptably low, leading to an immediate closure to protect public health.
The environmental health officers’ findings highlighted long-standing issues with hygiene controls. Schwirtz explained,
“The presence of rats and the level of dirtiness breached multiple food safety regulations, prompting urgent enforcement action.”
Who is responsible for the Pizza Hut franchise implicated?
At a Stratford Magistrates’ Court hearing on 14 October 2025, Alhassan Goussous, company director of GH Pizzas Ltd – the operator of this franchise, previously known as MSAJ Pizza Ltd – pleaded guilty to one charge of failing to adequately control pests as required by law. The Guardian’s reporter Helena Morris stated,
“Goussous accepted responsibility for the pest control failings that led to the rat infestation and the health risks posed to customers.”
GH Pizzas Ltd reportedly generates an estimated £14.5 million in annual turnover, and according to council sources, Goussous operates multiple fast food outlets across London.
How did Waltham Forest Council respond to the situation?
Councillor Khevyn Limbajee, cabinet member for community safety at Waltham Forest Council, spoke to The Evening Standard about the case. He said,
“While I am pleased that by closing the store, council environmental health officers were able to remove a threat to public health and safety, it’s unfortunate that the business was unable to get on top of long-standing issues relating to cleanliness and pest control.”
Limbajee further noted the significance of the £39,000 fine, stating,
“While the penalty in this case is significant, it is only a small measure of the seriousness of this offence and our determination to send a message to other food business operators who fail to take necessary measures to protect the public.”
What has Pizza Hut’s corporate office said about this incident?
According to Tom Ellis of BBC News London, a spokesperson for Pizza Hut commented on the situation, confirming awareness of the court ruling related to the Chingford Mount Road franchise operated by GH Pizzas Ltd.
The spokesperson highlighted that the site is independently owned and said,
“We have worked closely with the franchisee to ensure full compliance with our strict brand, food safety, and hygiene requirements.”
The statement continued,
“The restaurant was closed following the inspection and reopened only after all required corrective actions were verified by environmental health officers, ensuring it meets all necessary hygiene standards.”
Has the Pizza Hut in Chingford reopened, and what is its current hygiene status?
The Chingford Pizza Hut has since reopened and was inspected last in June 2025. The Food Standard Agency (FSA) rating currently stands at three out of five, which corresponds to “generally satisfactory” hygiene levels, as noted by The Independent’s health correspondent, Rachel Simmons.
This rating indicates that while improvements have been made, there is still room for higher standards to ensure full compliance with food safety regulations.
What wider implications does this case have for food businesses in the area?
Waltham Forest Council’s actions reflect a broader commitment to enforcing hygiene and pest control standards across the borough’s food establishments. Councillor Limbajee’s comments serve as a warning to other operators, reinforcing the message that failure to meet legal health obligations will lead to severe penalties, closures, and reputational damage.
The case also highlights the challenges faced by franchise operators in maintaining brand standards and public confidence. As reported by City A.M., such enforcement underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring and cooperation between franchisees and corporate entities.
