Fighting Cocks Supermarket, located on Dudley Road in Wolverhampton, has been ordered to pay over £8,000 after health inspectors discovered a severe rat infestation and other hygiene breaches during a routine check in January 2025. The supermarket was immediately shut down and only allowed to reopen once the immediate risk to public health was removed.
Routine inspection reveals filthy conditions
Environmental health officers from Wolverhampton Council visited the supermarket for a routine food hygiene inspection in January 2025. They found evidence of rodent activity across the sales floor and warehouse, including rat droppings, gnawed food and packaging, gnawed fixtures and fittings, and rat footprints on dusty cans of food. Other issues included poor warehouse control that made pest identification difficult, lack of suitable handwash provision at the butchery counter and WC, raw and ready-to-eat food stored together in the butchery fridge, mouldy food containers in the butchery fridge, a dirty WC cubicle, and display of the wrong food hygiene rating sticker.
Breaches of food safety regulations
The council stated that the supermarket failed to protect food against contamination, had inadequate procedures to control pests, and did not ensure the premises were kept clean and maintained in good repair. The supermarket admitted two breaches of the Food Safety and Hygiene Regulations at Dudley Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, June 24. It was fined £3,000, ordered to pay a £1,200 victim surcharge, and £4,000 costs, totaling £8,200.
Council warns of serious consequences
Councillor Qaiser Azeem, cabinet member for resident services at Wolverhampton Council, said: "This is a highly concerning case in which a business knowingly placed its customers at risk. Poor food hygiene can lead to serious illness and in this instance the company showed a complete disregard for the safety of those that trusted it. When food businesses fail to meet the required standards, our environmental health officers will take action and provide guidance on the improvements needed. This was the case with Fighting Cocks Supermarket and we will continue to monitor the premises to ensure compliance and protect the public. We are committed to safeguarding residents and consumers, and this case should serve as a clear reminder that we take food hygiene standards extremely seriously in Wolverhampton."
Supermarket allowed to reopen after improvements
The supermarket was only permitted to reopen once the council determined that the immediate risk to public health had been removed. The case highlights the importance of rigorous food hygiene enforcement and the potential dangers of neglecting pest control and cleanliness in food establishments.
