Latest news with #EmergencyProhibition
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
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. READ MORE: Crook lied about kidnap, cancer and mother's death to con girlfriend out of £69k 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.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Westminster Joe and the Juice stores fined after mouse droppings found in bread boxes
Two branches of Joe and the Juice in central London have been fined £40,000 each after serious mice infestations were found. The two branches - in Westminster's Garrick Street and Davies Street - were ordered to pay a total of £95,900 after costs at a hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court. The court heard how the chain's outlet on Garrick Street was shut temporarily by council inspectors after a widespread mouse infestation was discovered in June 2023. Mouse droppings were found in boxes of bread used for the outlet's sandwiches, while evidence of the rodent droppings on napkins meant for customers was also found. A separate inspection at an outlet on Davies Street in December 2023 also revealed that bread stored on trays had been gnawed by mice. There were droppings in the coffee shop's front-of-house serving area, as well as in the shop's storage. Council officials said the infestation was likely encouraged by crumbs below the chain's shelving. The chain said it had taken action to fix the problems raised at both of the two stores. Both outlets were served with emergency Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notices, temporarily closing them, before pleading guilty to two offences under food hygiene regulations. Cllr Aicha Less, Westminster's Cabinet Member for Children and Public Protection said: 'Customers should have peace of mind that the kitchen and cafes they enjoy have the highest standards of hygiene and cleanliness. 'However, the details of these cases are truly shocking and fall well below the standards we expect of food businesses in Westminster. 'The severity of these fines demonstrates how seriously we take food hygiene, and residents and visitors can be reassured that the council will take meaningful action to keep them safe. "We continue to work closely with all food and hospitality businesses to make sure the very highest standards of cleanliness are maintained.' A Joe and the Juice spokesperson said: "We are fully committed to food safety and hygiene standards. We took immediate steps to rectify the issues at these two sites, which have now received the highest hygiene ratings from the Food Standards Agency. 'We will continue to develop and implement best practice policies and procedures to uphold stringent protocols across all our stores."
