Birmingham takeaway The Original UK Fried Chicken has been fined more than £13,500 after environmental health officers discovered a severe mouse infestation at its Alum Rock Road premises. The company and its director, Alan Ali, pleaded guilty to three breaches of Food Safety and Hygiene Regulations following an inspection in June 2025 that forced the business to close temporarily.
Infestation Details and Inspection Findings
During the inspection, officers found mouse droppings in multiple areas, including next to food packaging, in the servery, in the kitchen, near refrigeration units, and on shelving storing soft drinks. Cleaning pads in the pot wash area had been gnawed and used as nesting material by mice, indicating an established infestation.
Prosecutor Simon Mortimer told the court that the level of contamination showed "deliberate culpability," adding: "With this amount of mouse droppings, you cannot miss them." The scale of the problem suggested that hygiene standards had been neglected for some time.
Owner's Personal Circumstances and Response
Defence solicitor Mahmood Khan explained that Ali had stepped back from daily operations due to personal illness and the need to care for his unwell mother in Iraq. This "difficult personal period" had led to a lapse in oversight, but the company has since taken significant remedial action.
Since the closure, The Original UK Fried Chicken has spent over £13,000 on repairs, upgraded pest control measures, and provided additional staff training to prevent a recurrence. These efforts were acknowledged by the court, though they did not negate the seriousness of the offences.
Court Penalties and Financial Impact
Magistrates imposed a fine of £8,000 on The Original UK Fried Chicken, along with a £2,000 victim surcharge and £1,385 in prosecution costs. Director Alan Ali was fined £423, with an additional £169 surcharge and £1,977 in costs, bringing the total financial penalty to £13,954.
The case highlights the importance of maintaining rigorous food hygiene standards, even during periods of personal difficulty for business owners. Birmingham City Council's environmental health team has reiterated that public safety remains a top priority and that inspections will continue to be thorough.
Business Response and Future Compliance
Following the court case, the takeaway has expressed commitment to upholding high standards. The investment in new equipment and training is intended to ensure full compliance with food safety regulations moving forward. The business remains operational and will be subject to follow-up inspections to verify ongoing adherence.
This incident serves as a reminder to all food businesses in Birmingham that hygiene failures can have serious legal and financial consequences, as well as reputational damage. The council encourages any business with concerns about pest control or food safety to seek advice before issues escalate.
