Thornton Heath businesses are being given an ultimatum to shape up on food hygiene and employment practice or face tough penalties.

Shop owners are under the spotlight after a number were named and shamed for poor food hygiene ratings and others face huge fines for employing illegal immigrants after raids by the Home Office.

Under the regeneration business support package businesses have been offered a wide range of free advice including access to food hygiene courses but only a limited number have taken up the offer.

Businesses having shopfront improvements as part of the regeneration signed an eligibility agreement displaying their commitment to good working practices. In 2016, food hygiene inspectors visited 289 businesses in Croydon with the worst possible rating of zero out of five. The outcome of each inspection is publicly available to view online at www.ratings.gov.uk.

Zero rating:

The Golden Fry Fish Bar, on Brigstock Road, two year’s running received a zero but according to Google is listed as “permanently closed”. Sayedi Butchers, on the High Street inspected on 01/03/2016. Yahman Daddy Delicious Caribbean, on Beulah Road, inspected on 30/03/2016.

One rating:

High Street: Cornfield Bakeries inspected on 28/8/2016; Divine Glory Afro Caribbean Foods  inspected on 06/05/2016; Shan Halal Meat  inspected on 25/02/2016.

London Road: Karachi Halal Meat and Grocers  inspected on 08/02/2016; The Grill Shack  inspected on 17/03/2016; Yusuf Halal  inspected on 10/03/2016

Thornton Road: Kuku Kebab House, inspected on 19/10/2016; Delight Express,  inspected on 15/03/2016.

Bensham Manor Road: First Choice Chinese and Thai takeaway, inspected on 30/03/2016

Brigstock Road: Tastee’s Shack,  inspected on 27/04/2016.