**Renowned Cardiff Restaurant Shuts After Rodent Infestation Scandal**
A beloved Indian restaurant near Roath Park in Cardiff has closed its doors for good, following allegations of poor hygiene and a shocking rodent infestation that endangered public health. Lake Spice, which was formerly well-regarded among locals and boasted an impressive customer satisfaction rating online, has ceased trading after being embroiled in a legal case regarding its food safety standards.
Once a fixture on Lake Road West, Lake Spice enjoyed a reputation for delicious dishes and friendly service, as reflected by its 4.5-star average from more than 300 Google reviews. The stark contrast between customers’ experiences and the dismal conditions uncovered by health officials stunned many in the local community.
In September 2023, Cardiff Council’s environmental health inspectors made a surprise visit to the establishment. Their report painted a grim picture of the premises: evidence of a serious mouse infestation was uncovered, including droppings found not just in storage areas but shockingly on tablecloths and the kitchen floor. Inspectors described the overall environment as unclean and poorly maintained, stating that the “layout, design, construction, siting, and size” failed to meet required hygiene standards for safe food preparation and service.
Following the inspection, both the restaurant and its owner, Mamun Miah, faced Cardiff Magistrates’ Court in March this year, pleading guilty to three counts of breaching food hygiene regulations. The court imposed penalties totalling £16,254 on Miah and the business. District Judge Mark Layton criticised the operation for putting profits above customer safety and signalled that any future offences of this nature could warrant immediate imprisonment.
Despite efforts from Miah’s legal representative to suggest that food preparation zones were not directly contaminated, and that pest control measures were in place (albeit insufficient ones), the court found these attempts to remedy the issue inadequate. The damage to Lake Spice’s reputation was swift and irreparable; after a brief attempt at rebranding itself as Lake Garden, the restaurant ultimately shut shortly after the legal proceedings concluded.
The closure, while disappointing to loyal patrons, has paved the way for new beginnings at the site. In a bid to restore confidence in the location and offer something completely fresh to the community, a new independent restaurant named Konak is poised to launch in the coming weeks. The venture promises to specialise in Mediterranean and Turkish fine dining, according to its manager, Aydin ‘Andy’ Dursun.
Mr Dursun, who previously garnered acclaim at the well-reviewed Kervan Kitchen in Ipswich, insists that Konak is under entirely new ownership with no connection to the previous business. He has pledged that all existing equipment will be replaced, and that rigorous pest control protocols are now in place. “We communicate with pest control and we are very serious about it. Everything is going to be changed,” Mr Dursun stated, aiming to put any lingering hygiene concerns firmly to rest.
Konak’s menu is set to feature Turkish lagers on tap alongside specially selected wines sourced from Greece and Italy, signalling a significant shift from the site’s former offering and a commitment to quality and safety.
The episode serves as a stark reminder of the paramount importance of food hygiene within the hospitality sector. Local authorities were swift to act once the extent of the rodent issue became clear, but the case has also sparked wider conversations about consumer expectations and business responsibilities regarding public health.
As Roath gears up to welcome its new dining destination, many will be watching closely to see if Konak can succeed where its predecessor fell short, and help restore trust in one of Cardiff’s much-loved neighbourhoods for eating out.