Walsall pizza takeaway shut down over 'extensive' mice infestation

Meanwhile a second take-out restaurant, this time in Willenhall, must now pay a court bill of almost £2,000 after failing to tackle an infestation of the pests.

Pizza Cottage, on Caldmore Road, Caldmore, was forced to close after environmental officers found the infestation.

It served the premises with an emergency and immediate closure order, which has upheld by magistrates when it was brought to Walsall Magistrates Court days later.

The takeaway, which served pizzas, kebabs and burgers, has a slogan on its website saying: 'You have tried the rest now try the best'.

It was visited by Walsall Council environmental officers last week when the infestation was found.

The premises was immediately served with an emergency prohibition order and forced to close. Walsall Council described the find as an 'extensive infestation of mice'.

The case and the prohibition order was taken to Walsall Magistrates Court on January 19, where magistrates upheld the council's decision to have the premises shut down.

Also appearing at court was Beijing House, based on Bloxwich Road South, in Willenhall.

Its owner, Xiao Guo Cai, was fined £400 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £1,500 after pleading guilty to inadequate procedures to control a pest (mouse) infestation.

Cai apologised to the court for committing the offence and promised magistrates it would not happen again.

However after hearing the facts of the case and the mitigation put forward, the magistrates expressed their disappointment that Cai had been cooking and preparing food in such unhygienic conditions.

As well as the fine of £400 and the prosecution costs of £1,500, Cai was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £40, bringing the total to £1,940.

The prosecutions have been heralded as a 'good result' by Walsall Council, which has encouraged residents to check premises food hygiene rating before deciding to eat there.

Councillor Julie Fitzpatrick, the community, leisure and culture boss at the council, said: "This is a good result; not just for the team, but for people buying food from these premises who could have been made seriously ill.

"Businesses should understand that whilst we are here to help them comply and run a safe business, robust action will be taken where standards pose a risk to public health. Residents are encouraged to check the National Food Hygiene Rating Scheme before going to a food premises to see how compliant they are."

Pizza Cottage, which was last rated in July 2015, has a rating of two saying improvements are necessary.

Beijing House has never been rated.