11-04-2025
Birmingham Dixy Chicken shop shut down over mice in the cellar
A Dixy Chicken restaurant in Birmingham has been shut down due to mice.
Inspectors confirmed they found droppings throughout the premises on Church Road in Yardley, including in the cellar.
Today, Friday, April 11, Birmingham Magistrates' Court granted a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order (HEPO) following an application by Birmingham City Council.
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It means the takeaway must remain closed until the authority is satisfied it is safe too reopen.
Simon Garrison, environmental health officer, told the court: "When I visited Dixy Chicken on April 9 I was there to investigate a complaint when I saw there was poor hygiene and a lot of mouse droppings throughout the premises."
He took magistrates through dozens of photographs showing droppings in a number of locations including near a chicken cutting station, chip station, hot food displays and on shelving near to food packaging.
Mr Garrison said there were droppings in the rear food preparation area and the food packaging room.
The officer highlighted a photograph showing the access to the cellar, which he suggested could be the access point for the pests.
"There were a lot of mouse droppings on the floor in the cellar," he said, adding: "We determined there was an imminent risk to health because of the amount of droppings throughout the premises.
"Once it hit food surfaces that's when we say there's a hazard to health, if it was just in lower areas we wouldn't be doing this today."
Mr Garrison confirmed business operator RR Fast Foods, based at the same address, had been served a schedule works but as of this morning it had still not been completed.
He said they had requested pest treatment services.
Magistrates granted the order. RR Fast Foods did not send a representative to the hearing.
