McDonald's hits back as Oldbury car park rats video goes viral

The footage which was posted online is believed to be from a car park in Oldbury and shows a group of around eight rats next to a kerb.

The car park serves a branch of McDonald's and Toys R Us in the town.

But a spokesman for the fast food chain said the restaurant had not been affected by the vermin.

"The car park is owned by a third party and we will be looking to contact them as a matter of urgency in order to seek a solution to the issue," the spokesman said.

"We would like to stress that this in no way affects inside our restaurant or land owned by us – it is linked to the shared car park outside."

The video, posted on Facebook by Liam Edwards, shows rats running in and out of a nearby bush on the car park and has been viewed more than 700,000 times.

People have commented on the video blaming people, including McDonald's customers, for dropping litter.

Yolande Howell said: "How disgusting. This is an environmental health issue and should be reported."

But Shara Constantine said: "Can't blame McDonald's for people not putting their own rubbish in the bin."

Beth Parker agreed and said: "If it wasn't for people dropping litter, we wouldn't have this problem."

Councillor Preet Gill, cabinet member for public health at Sandwell Council, said the video footage was 'shocking'.

She said: "I think it's shocking from a public health perspective and we need to investigate what the cause is.

"If it's because the public are littering then I think people need to realise that if we're littering in a way of food being dumped then pests will start to turn up.

"We've all got a duty to ensure that we keep Sandwell a clean and safe place to live."

The McDonald's spokesman said pest control experts were assessing the situation, adding: "We carry out regular and multiple litter picks in this shared car park throughout the day and we are disappointed to see this footage.

"Pest control experts have been to assess the situation and have raised no concerns with the proactive action we are taking."

Toys R Us spokeswoman Justine Pryce said: "McDonald's and we are doing everything we can to ensure the area is cleared immediately. We will be taking steps to ensure the shrubbery is cut right back to deter continued nesting".