Rat-infested takeaway closed down for clean up
A takeaway and restaurant has been closed after council officials said they found rat and mouse droppings at the premises.
Walsall Council environmental health officers found droppings in food preparation and storage areas during a visit to Roti Junction, in Caldmore, on Tuesday.
A temporary closure notice was issued and officials say a pest control contractor has since caught three rats and a mouse at the premises, off Caldmore Road, Walsall Magistrates Court heard yesterday.
A Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order was granted by magistrates meaning the premises must remain shut until cleaned and rid of rodents. Addressing magistrates during the court hearing, prosecutor Mrs Kerry Munro said: "It is an application for a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order.
"It relates to a food business known as Roti Junction. These are premises at the rear of 116 Caldmore Road in Walsall.
"There are active infestations of both rats and mice throughout the food preparation and storage areas."
Environmental health officer Elizabeth Lee said: "We have to protect public health and safety when we look at restaurants." She said in such circumstances it would be necessary to temporarily close the premises.
Speaking about the inspection carried out at Roti Junction, she
told magistrates: "We saw rat droppings and mouse droppings throughout the premises which indicated to us there was a current infestation."
She said inspectors found there was an 'imminent risk of injury to health'.
Ms Lee said a pest control contractor had since been engaged and had helped to catch a number of rodents.
The owners of Roti Junction were not at yesterday's court hearing and could not be reached for comment.
