A Subway branch located in a pedestrian subway under a busy road in the West Midlands has been shut down following the discovery of a severe mouse infestation. Environmental health officers from the local council ordered the immediate closure of the premises, citing an imminent risk to public health.
Infestation uncovered during routine inspection
The closure came after a routine inspection by environmental health officers, who found extensive evidence of mice throughout the restaurant. According to the council, officers discovered over 50 mouse droppings in food preparation areas, as well as nesting material behind equipment and gnaw marks on food packaging. The infestation was deemed severe enough to pose a direct threat to customers and staff.
Council officials stated that the branch had failed to maintain adequate pest control measures, allowing the infestation to escalate. The restaurant's food hygiene rating has been suspended, and it cannot reopen until a thorough deep clean and professional pest control treatment have been completed and verified.
Franchise owner responds
In a statement, the franchise owner said, "We take this matter extremely seriously and are working closely with environmental health officers to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. The safety and satisfaction of our customers are our top priority, and we apologize for any inconvenience caused." The owner confirmed that all staff have been reassigned to other branches during the closure.
Impact on local commuters and residents
The closure has affected regular customers, including office workers and shoppers who rely on the branch for quick meals. The owner has, however, emphasized that the company is committed to implementing robust pest control procedures across all its West Midlands locations to prevent future incidents.
The council has said it will continue to monitor the situation closely and will only allow the branch to reopen once it is satisfied that all necessary improvements have been made. No date has been set for reopening.
