Inspectors found two mice infestations at Birmingham restaurant in three months

Food safety inspectors discovered two separate mice infestations within three months at a Birmingham restaurant.

Zulfiqar Khan, director of Hot and Spicy on Coventry Road, pleaded guilty to six charges of breaching the food safety and hygiene regulations at a hearing at Birmingham Magistrates Court on Thursday, October 22.

The failures related to two inspections carried out by Birmingham City Council environmental health officers in September and December last year.

Widespread mouse activity was discovered with droppings found on food packages, cooking equipment, fridges and storage areas.

This resulted in the eatery being awarded the lowest ‘zero’ food hygiene rating following both inspections.

In mitigation, the court was told pest control measures had been in place but failed to deal with the problem effectively while the business suffered as a result of people dumping rubbish outside during the bin strikes.

Magistrates also heard how Khan has carried out works to improve the premises and, following an inspection in September this year, it’s food hygiene rating has risen to ‘two’.

Peter Cruickshank, prosecuting on behalf of the Birmingham City Council, said officers inspected the premises on September 2 last year where they found widespread mouse activity.

A hygiene emergency protection notice was served and this was ratified into an order by the court two days later. The premises weren’t deemed safe to reopen until September 8.

The second inspection took place on December 11 2025 and poor hygiene standards and widespread mice activity were discovered.

This resulted into another hygiene emergency protection notice before an order was granted by the court four days later.

When quizzed by officers, Khan apologised for the condition of the restaurant and cited financial and personal problems before adding he was making efforts to improve the premises.

Mr Cruickshank said: “There was widespread mouse activity with droppings found throughout.

“There was not just one but two hygiene emergency protection notices which were ratified by the court due to the extent of rodent activity.

“It is a serious and prolonged failure to maintain food hygiene conditions. Despite the September notice and order, similar conditions occurred in December.”

Muzir Waheed, defending, said Khan had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and cooperated with officers throughout the investigations and is now looking for a buyer to take over the business.

He said: “Mr Khan took over this business in June 2025, a couple of months prior to these inspections.

“It has been struggling financially and it has impacted on Mr Khan’s health.

“He accepts full responsibility but there have been issues out of his control. During the bin strikes, rubbish is being left in certain areas and outside these premises, it has become a hot spot.

“There has been a huge increase in people fly-tipping near to these premises and a neighbouring derelict garden has overgrown and given an opportunity for mice to grow there.

“Measures were put in place (for vermin control) but clearly not adequately enough. He has put in place a lot of changes and the food hygiene rating has gone from ‘zero’ to ‘two’.

“There is no evidence of any person suffering any harm and no complaints made in regard of these premises.”

Magistrates fined Khan £691 and ordered him to pay a surcharge of £276 and prosecution costs of £3,151.