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News


downsmail.co.uk MuMure-opens after virus hit


MUMUowner Ciaran O’Quigley has re-opened his popular Maidstone town centre restaurant after a suspected outbreak of norovirus shut it down.


Mr O’Quigley (pictured) said his


team had carried out a massive fu- migation exercise “like something out of Ghostbusters” after he de- cided to temporar- ily close theWeek Street eaterie and nightspot on Sat- urday, February 18.


All foods,


drinks and dry productswere de-


stroyed. He told Downs Mail: “The guys


at the council’s environmental health people have given us huge Brownie points for shutting the place down after a few people re- ported getting ill. The place has got a complete wipe down.” Mr O’Quigley posted a lengthy response on the restaurant’s Face- book page after a number of reports that diners had suffered sickness after eating there on Valentine’s Day. He said that two days later “it


Mu Mu inWeek Street, Maidstone


came to my attention that three bookings had felt unwell due to dining at Mu Mu, with a fourth booking contacting us on the Fri- day. All of these bookings were in- vestigated internally and the cooking methods were scrutinised and suppliers contacted to trace cer- tain items back. “We were more than happy that


our hygiene and cross-checks fell in line with theway thatwe have con-


ducted our business for the last 25 years and met our high standards.” He said that on Valentine’s Day,


one member of staff had rung in sick and was told not to come in, and two workers said they felt un- well and were sent home immedi- ately. On Friday, he had contacted the head of Maidstone council’s en- vironmental health section. He was also made aware that an outbreak of contagious norovirus


(vomiting and diarrhoea bug) had broken out throughout the country. Itwas decided to close the business temporarily to break the cycle of this infection, and staff were advised to stay away until the followingweek. Maidstone Council said that its environmental health department had been contacted. “Our officers are working with the owners ofMu Mu and Public Health England to ensure that all precautions are taken to safeguard the public whilst fur- ther investigations take place. “An environmental health officer


will be attempting to contact those who ate at the restaurant last week and complained of illness. “The food business operator has engaged in a process of deep-clean- ing the whole premises prior to re- opening.” Mr O’Quigley, who re-opened on February 24, said: “We’re very busy with lots of bookings. We did the right thing in shutting down for a few days to make certain we broke the cycle of infection.”


Serial offender is jailed


SERIAL offender, homeless Billy Matthews, has been sent to prison for a year after a string of crimes. Hewas sentenced on February 16


at Medway Magistrates’ Court where he admitted failing to co-op- erate with a breath test, failing to surrender to court bail, two counts of driving without insurance, two charges of driving while disquali- fied and two of shoplifting. On December 23, 2016, Matthews


SPAR to the cash rescue


STRANDED account-holders in Staplehurst have been saved by their local SPAR store froma five-mile trip into town to access their bank account. The retail chain has fitted a cash-pointmachine at its store in The Parade,


following the decision by NatWest to close its branch in the village. According to Alison Lain, the store’s assistantmanager, the retail chain re- sponded withinweeks of hearing fromvillagers about being left high and dry by NatWest’s departure. Much of the campaigning was led by her son and parish councillor Sam


Lain-Rose (pictured). Alison said:“We contacted SPARon line, with pressure coming fromvillagers


andwere very pleased with their response and swiftness. “In fact, it was the security arrangements that took the most time to


arrange.” She said theATMis already proving its worth, and has been reallywell used, demonstrating the local need. Sam, who runs the Subway concession within the store, has been thanked


by borough councillor Louise Brice, who is working with NatWest to provide replacement services in the village. Cllr Brice said: “Sam has been so proactive on this issue and he deserves all


the credit. “This is fantastic for the community and our small businesses, so we are


very pleased Sam has managed to achieve this.” The NatWest was ramraided last summer and had its cash machine re-


moved by a digger. The branch has not re-opened since.


24 Maidstone Weald March 2017


(28), of no fixed address, drove a Mercedes Benz on the A249 at Stockbury while disqualified and with no insurance. On January 18, 2017, he stole meat worth £90 from a service sta-


tion in Branbridges Road, East Peckham. Three days later, he stole clothing


worth an unknown amount from a shop in Eclipse Park, Maidstone. On January 23, he failed to sur- render to bail at Mid Kent Magis- trates’ Court. On February 15, he drove aVaux-


hall Zafira in Bearsted Road, Maid- stone, while disqualified and with no insurance. He also failed to co- operate with a breath test. Magistrates sentenced Matthews


to 12 months in prison and banned him from driving for 30 months. He must also pay £156 compensa- tion and £85 costs.


Car burned out in village


THIS abandoned, burnt-out hatchback is the latest vehicle to be dumped in and around Leeds village. The carwas set on fire on a bri-


dleway off Burberry Lane and photographed by a localwalker. Hewas bemused as to how the


vehiclewas driven onto the path which had a metal, padlocked bar at the entrance. He added: “I just don’t know


how they managed it. I thought we’d left the abandoned, burnt- out car phase behind us, but it seems to be back, worse luck.”


Fly-tipping, littering and abandoned vehicles have be- come a serious worry for local borough councillor Gill Fort, who lives in Leeds.


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