Member Article

Teesside restaurant shut down after mouse infestation

Environmental health officers have shut down a Middlesbrough restaurant after an infestation of mice was discovered.

A member of the public had contacted Middlesbrough Council saying they had seen a mouse at the Seapa restaurant on Parliament Road in the town.

When Environmental Health Officers visited the restaurant they discovered evidence of a serious widespread mouse infestation and very poor standards of cleanliness.

Environmental Health Manager Judith Hedgley said: “Officers found mouse droppings throughout the premises – in the kitchen, in a walk-in chiller, in store areas and in the customer seating area.

“There was a serious lack of cleaning to fixtures, fittings and food equipment and an overall lack of food safety procedures.

“The only option was to formally close the premises by serving a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice.

“It’s disappointing that this is the third time we have had to take this action in the last two weeks - however owners must recognise their responsibility to operate their food businesses responsibly and without risk to the public.

“I advise other food business owners to make sure their businesses are well managed and clean, in good structural repair and free from pests.”

Middlesbrough Council was granted a Court Order by Teesside Magistrates on Monday.

The Order confirmed the actions of the Council in prohibiting the use of the premises as a food business.

At the request of the owner, Environmental Health Officers inspected the premises again and allowed the business to reopen after being satisfied that the risks to health had been removed.

Councillor Charlie Rooney, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “There is simply no excuse for poor hygiene standards in restaurants or other food outlets.

“Consumers have a right to expect their food to be prepared in clean hygienic conditions and not in kitchens that are infested, dirty or badly managed.

“In the vast majority of food outlets in Middlesbrough Environmental Health Officer find they are well managed, clean businesses, which is a credit to their management and staff.

“It is therefore a concern when poor standards are discovered and enforcement action has to be taken to protect public health.

“We will always seek to support businesses but this type of action must be seen as a warning.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Martin Walker .