Business district takeaway fined £35,000 after mice infestation

A sandwich bar in Birmingham’s business district has been ordered to pay £35,000 after environmental health officers found evidence of mouse activity throughout the premises.

Philpotts at 34 Bennetts Hill is a popular lunchtime destination for office workers in the Bennetts Hill and Waterloo Street area.

Parent business, Philpotts Ltd, based at 146 Sarehole Road, Birmingham, had denied three offences under Food Safety and Hygiene regulations at an earlier hearing.

However, Birmingham magistrates found the company guilty of the breaches and fined it £35,000 with an order to pay costs of £15,892.55.

Birmingham City Council prosecuted Philpotts after the EHOs found evidence of mouse activity throughout the premises during an inspection in November 2015.

Mouse droppings were found throughout the premises – including on a shelf containing bowls and colanders used to prepare food. Droppings were also found on boxes used to pack ready to eat cakes, and on food preparation surfaces.

The council issued a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice (HEPN) as the conditions posed an imminent risk to health as food was either contaminated or at risk of contamination.

The shop was ordered to close and was not allowed to reopen until the contamination had been cleared.

It was given the all clear following a fresh inspection in early December 2015.

Speaking after the hearing, Nick Lowe, Operations Manager – Food Safety, Regulation and Enforcement for the city council, said:  “We welcome the guilty verdict and are satisfied with the outcome of the trial.  The fine demonstrates that the court considers food safety to be a priority and food businesses should take note of that.”

Philpotts at 34 Bennetts Hill remains open and continues to trade.