Mouse infested chip shop shut down

A Birmingham fish and chip shop has been ordered to shut down following the discovery of a widespread mouse infestation.

Birmingham City Council environmental health officers carried out a routine inspection of Blu’s Kebab House, in Hob Moor Road, on Tuesday, November 10 where mouse droppings were discovered throughout the premises.

A hygiene emergency prohibition notice was served on the food operator Blu’s Chip Shop Ltd and a schedule of works given which has to be satisfied in order for them to reopen.

A hearing at Birmingham Magistrates heard how a follow-up inspection had taken place on Thursday, November 12, hand a report by a pest control company showed two mice had been caught in traps the day before.

Officers added all the necessary works had not yet been completed and the business remains closed.

At a hearing on November 12, the court was told how mouse droppings were discovered in a number of areas including a store room, in the prep kitchen, front of house servery and on or near equipment used to prepare food.

Officers concluded the health risk conditions had been satisfied and that there was an imminent risk to public health. The notice was served and the business ordered to close.

Birmingham City Council environmental health officer Kizzy Bent said: “There was quite a lot of pest activity, it was widespread. It was in the storeroom, prep kitchen and front of house servery.

“I re-inspected again this morning (November 12) and their pest control officer had attended before I did. In their report, there were two dead mice caught in traps the day before.

“They had not satisfied the (schedule of works) and we found more droppings.

“They have pest proofed but have not done all the work and they have not stopped the infestations so there is still a risk at the premises.”

Magistrates were satisfied a risk to public health still remained and granted a hygiene emergency prohibition order.

By Gurdip Thandi | Local Democracy Reporting Service