Westhoughton’s Mangrove curry house given one-star hygiene rating

Westhoughton restaurant Mangrove, located on 1 Manchester Road, received a rating of one out of five, meaning major improvement is necessary, following an inspection by Bolton Council on January 8, 2026.

The rating applies to both the restaurant and its takeaway service.

Inspectors found that hygiene standards required improvement, structural conditions needed improvement, and confidence in management was rated as “major improvement necessary”.

Owner and manager Abdul Atique said: “I’m very shocked with how low it is.

“When it comes to management, we weren’t even allowed to speak.

“I’m the owner and manager and I wasn’t allowed to speak.”

He attributed some of the issues identified during the inspection to bin collection problems over the festive period.

Mr Atique said: “It was just after Christmas and there was a major issue with bins not being collected by Bolton Council.

“Bin bags were piling up in the garden, that was the major issue.”

The food hygiene rating scheme, while legally enforced in Wales and Northern Ireland, is voluntary for display in England.

Ratings reflect hygiene standards observed during the inspection and cover food handling, cleanliness of facilities, and management of food safety.

Officers evaluate three key areas: how food is handled and stored, the condition and cleanliness of the premises, and the effectiveness of food safety management systems.

Businesses with low ratings are required to make urgent improvements, and food safety officers can use enforcement powers or provide guidance as appropriate.

Despite the concerns raised, Mr Atique expressed confidence in his management and staff.

He said: “I’m confident with the management and confident in what I’m doing.

“I’ve done this for a while.

“We’ve always had full staff and good ratings.”

He explained that some staff were nervous during the inspection.

Mr Atique said: “The chefs got a bit panicky and didn’t give correct answers.

“They were hesitant over what to say and got nervous.”

He has already paid more than £200 for a re-inspection.

He said: “I know I am not 100 per cent innocent, there are requirements that need to be improved.

“But we’re trying to keep on top of things, and I think a one is harsh.”

Mr Atique also suggested that the ratings may not always reflect the full picture.

He said: “I’ve noticed several other eateries near me are a three that should be four or five, I think they’re being harsher.”

He added that achieving the highest ratings can be challenging.

Mr Atique said: “Five and four are very hard to get.

“A little fault and it’s a four, you’ve got to be perfect.”

The Food Standards Agency states that the scheme helps customers make informed choices about where to eat or buy food based on hygiene standards.

Despite the low rating, Mangrove was shortlisted for The Bolton News Curry House Awards 2024.

The restaurant currently holds a 4.3 rating on TripAdvisor.