Bid to reopen E.coli probe shop

The fish bar has been closed while the investigation continues

The owner of a chip shop shut down after an investigation into an E.coli outbreak has applied to re-open it.

Ramazan Aslan, who runs the Llay fish bar, submitted the application despite the probe by environment health officers and the National Public Health Service for Wales, continuing.

His solicitor said he was cooperating and it did not mean the shop would reopen before inquiries were completed.

Wrexham Council said it would only give the go-ahead if "completely satisfied".

It has 15 days, from the date of the application, to decide whether the shop is fit to resume trading.

E.coli victim Karen Morrisroe-Clutton, 32, remains seriously ill in intensive care.

Ms Morrisroe-Clutton, who has a three-month-old son, ate food from the takeaway last month.

Her mother, Rose Morrisroe, said they were aware that Mr Aslan had submitted the application.

She added: "He has every right to apply. The onus is now the council, but I think it would be very wrong to allow him to open at this stage."

In other E.coli outbreaks, sources have been confirmed in a much shorter timeframe than this Lesley Griffiths AM

She said her daughter's condition "remained about the same" and her recovery was going to take a "very long time."

A three-year-old girl, Abigail Hennessey, was also seriously ill in hospital and required kidney dialysis, but has since been allowed home.

Two other local women were also struck with the illness.

All four people, who suffered the same strain of E.coli, are believed to have eaten food from the Llay Fish Bar.

Earlier this month Wrexham magistrates granted the council's request for an order for the takeaway to remain closed indefinitely while investigations to identify the source of the outbreak continued.

The National Public Health Service for Wales said all possible sources were being considered.

An inspection of the Llay Fish Bar a year ago found poor hygiene conditions and council health inspectors awarded the lowest possible rating of zero stars.

Mr Aslan's solicitor, Pierre Bartlett, said: "The fact that he is making this application does not necessarily mean that he intends to start trading before the investigation is completed.

Karen Morrisroe Clutton's family say it would be wrong to re-open yet

"Mr Aslan is continuing to co-operate fully with the investigation, but so far we have not received any adverse test report which indicates that his premises were the source of the outbreak."

He said environmental health officials had made "one or two" recommendations following the outbreak and these had already been complied with.

He added that Mr Aslan had 17 years in the food trade and he and his assistant both had hygiene certificates.

Wrexham assembly member Lesley Griffiths said she was "surprised" at the application, "particularly in light of the fact the public still do not know where the recent outbreak originated from".

She added: "In other E.coli outbreaks, sources have been confirmed in a much shorter timeframe than this. So, I have to ask, why is this taking so long in Wrexham's case?

"I have written to Wrexham Council to ask when they intend to publicly confirm the source of the recent outbreak. It is in everyone's interest that this is put in the public domain, as soon as possible."

Toni Slater, Wrexham's public protection service manager said: "The owner of Llay Fish Bar formally notified the authority on the 18 August 2009 that he intends to reopen.

"The food safety team have 15 days to consider his application.

"We are still awaiting information from him and will not issue a certificate allowing him to reopen unless we are completely satisfied.

"The public protection department will be seeking legal advice on this matter."

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