The director of a former pizza restaurant in Walthamstow has been fined £20,000 for food safety and hygiene failures.

Sher Shah, director of Franco Pizza Ltd at 64 Hoe Street, was whacked with the hefty fine at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Monday, February 28.

It comes after not complying with regulations on September 1, 2018 – described in court papers as “failed to ensure that the premises… was kept in clean condition and repair”.

Another charge was described as “failed to ensure that adequate measures were in place to control pests at the premises”.

Waltham Forest Council has been contacted for more details.

The director pleaded not guilty to both in August 2020 before being found guilty on January 31 this year.

Shah was given a £10,000 fine for each charge and was also ordered to pay a £190 victim services surcharge.

It is believed the restaurant has since closed and in March 2021 Pizzeria Boccaccio Wood Fire opened in the unit before Basilicata Wood took over in July 2021.