Mouse-infested West Midlands Subway branch shut down

A Birmingham branch of Subway has been shut down after a mouse and rodent droppings were discovered throughout the takeaway.

Birmingham City Council environmental health officers said the branch in Stratford Road, Sparkbrook posed an imminent risk to public health following an inspection on Tuesday, July 28.

Birmingham Magistrates Court granted a hygiene emergency prohibition order against SLK Foods, who operate the takeaway, at a hearing on Thursday (July 30).

This means the premises will have to remain closed until conditions imposed by officers are met eradicating the issues discovered.

At the hearing, Birmingham City Council environmental health officer Kiran Bola said she carried out a routine inspection of the premises on July 28.

She said she could smell mouse droppings and urine when she opened a draw under the drinks dispenser.

Droppings were also discovered behind equipment in food preparation areas, on shelving units, next to electrical sockets, on boxes containing food, behind chiller units and in the store room.

She added a live mouse was also seen in a bin while there were gaps in the door which would allow rodents to get into the takeaway.

A hygiene prohibition notice was served and a schedule of works setting out what the company needs to do to address the issues of mouse activity, lack of effective cleaning and food being exposed to the risk of contamination.

Kiran Bola said: “Rodents can contaminate food, surfaces and equipment through their urine, droppings, fur and saliva and lead to salmonella.

“There was an imminent risk to public health. I did make contact with the business and the owners said they are not yet ready to satisfy the schedule of works given to them.

“I will be going back today (July 30). If they are ready, they will reopen. If they are not, they will remain closed.”