'Dirty' Walsall takeaway ordered to pay almost £5,000 after mouse droppings discovery
Owners of a takeaway in Walsall where mouse droppings were found have been ordered to pay almost £5,000 for hygiene breaches.
Ruby Express based Walsall Wood Road was temporarily closed on March 13 last year after an unannounced routine visit by Walsall Council environmental health officers. The inspectors reported that they observed droppings and found the premises in a generally dirty and greasy condition.
In addition there was no running water due to a broken boiler and the site previously had a poor food hygiene record from an earlier inspection on January 11, 2023.
As a result the officers Officers deemed the conditions to pose an imminent risk to public health and offered a voluntary closure, which was accepted by the business operators Hing Lo and Shena Lo.
Walsall Council said the business remained closed for five days while the necessary improvements were made and the doors reopened on March 18 last year.
In relation to the incident at a hearing held at Dudley Magistrates Court on May 21 Hing Lo pleaded guilty to all matters and the court imposed a fine of £1,181. The business was also ordered to pay £3,219 in costs and a £472 victim surcharge.
Walsall's communities boss Councillor Kerry Murphy said: “Food businesses have a responsibility to operate safely and hygienically. When they fall short, our environmental health officers will take action.
"We welcome the cooperation shown by the operators in this case and look forward to seeing the improvements.”
Since reopening the premises was given a one rating by the Food Standards Agency.
