Grill & Thrill signage appears at former Darlington Cuisine Marmaris

The former Cuisine Marmaris on Parkgate, was previously slapped with a zero-star rating following a damning food hygiene inspection on April 3.  

Although there is very little information on the new venture, the sign reads: ‘Grill&Thrill’ with an ‘opening soon’ sign in the window.

Opening soon sign (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

Out-of-date bolognese, raw beef stored next to bread rolls, and a “pungent odour” were among the serious hygiene failings found at the previous Darlington takeaway.

Darlington Borough Council found customers were placed at risk due to a string of food hygiene breaches, which landed the owner in court. 

At Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on December 10, Ranga Gunumuthu, owner of Cuisine Marmaris on Parkgate, pleaded guilty to failing to keep his premises clean as required by food hygiene law, and was ordered to pay £850 in fines and court costs.

Cuisine Marmaris in Darlington was previously handed the zero star rating (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Environmental health officers from Darlington Borough Council previously visited the takeaway on four separate occasions between March and April 2025.

A routine inspection on March 6 this year found that the premises and equipment were dirty and food was at risk of contamination.

The business was downgraded to a three-star (satisfactory) rating, which prompted further visits in April, one of which resulted in the business receiving a zero-star (urgent improvement necessary) rating.

Food found in the fridges of the Darlington takeaway (Image: Darlington Borough Council)

The council has released the full inspection report for the April 3 visit, revealing some of the serious food hygiene failings found.

Officers uncovered out of date bolognese and milk, filthy cleaning sponges stored in containers with dirty, stagnant water, and a number of heavily damaged scourers. 

Raw food – namely beef burgers – were being stored above/next to bread rolls in the fridge, presenting a risk of contamination. 

Food found in previous Darlington takeaway (Image: Darlington Borough Council)

Environmental swabbing also revealed contamination levels on a salad preparation surface nearly 30 times higher than acceptable standards.

There was also an open grease trap to the sink units at the back of the building, where inspectors were met with a “pungent odour”, an issue raised at a previous inspection.

Grime stuck to equipment in the kitchen (Image: Darlington Borough Council)

Despite repeated opportunities to address the hygiene issues raised, Mr Gunumuthu of Newton Way, Stockton-on-Tees, failed to acknowledge the seriousness of the situation and conditions at the premises continued to deteriorate, placing customers at risk.

The Northern Echo contacted Darlington Borough Council to confirm whether they were aware of the new signage.

In response, a council spokesperson said: “We are aware of the new sign but have not been approached by anyone concerning this business.

“If the owners do not get in touch, our environmental health team will wait until the business has opened and will then visit the premises.”