Istanbul Restaurant, a Turkish eatery on Stockwell Road in Handsworth, Birmingham, has been closed by court order after environmental health officers discovered a widespread mouse infestation during a routine inspection.
Birmingham City Council officers visited the premises on September 8 and found mouse droppings in multiple areas, prompting an immediate hygiene notice and a subsequent court hearing on Thursday, September 10.
Droppings Found Across Kitchen and Storage Areas
Environmental health officer Damiana Moxham told Birmingham Magistrates that droppings were discovered on work surfaces, by a staircase leading to the servery, on an oil drum, behind rice cookers, on catering foil and next to a display chiller.
The inspection also uncovered additional hygiene failures, including no soap at a hand basin, dirty shelving in the walk-in fridge, food stored directly on the floor of the walk-in fridge and a leaking pipe.
On the day of the inspection, officers served a hygiene notice and provided the business with a schedule of works to rectify the issues.
Court Hears of Imminent Health Risk
Ms Moxham told the court: "Mice are agile and can climb through tiny holes. They defecate and urinate as they go. They have been on work surfaces defecating and urinating as they go."
She added: "I decided there was an imminent risk to health, a lack of effective cleaning practices and food being at risk of contamination."
During the hearing, Ms Moxham said the business had indicated they were not ready for a reinspection at that stage but asked her to return on Friday, September 11.
Restaurant Cannot Reopen Until Risk Eliminated
Magistrates granted a hygiene emergency prohibition order, meaning the restaurant cannot reopen until the risk to public health has been eliminated.
The order remains in force until Birmingham City Council is satisfied that the premises are safe and compliant with food hygiene regulations. The business must complete the required works and pass a reinspection before trading can resume.
