Cockroach infestation forces closure of pub
A pub in the Black Country has been closed by environmental health officers following an infestation of cockroaches.
A pub in the Black Country has been closed by environmental health officers following an infestation of cockroaches.
The Yew Tree in Merridale, Wolverhampton, has been shut until further notice by a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order.
Council officials visited the pub last week following an anonymous complaint.
Monitoring traps were laid, and the management of the pub voluntarily closed its kitchen pending the outcome of the overnight checks.
These revealed clear evidence of the insects in the front and rear bar, the lobby between them and the kitchen. Environmental health officials then closed the pub with an emergency hygiene notice.
Such an order has to be ratified by an application to a court within three days of implementation, and yesterday District Judge Graham Wilkinson approved the move at the city's magistrates court.
The pub will remain closed until local authority officials are satisfied that the problem has been eradicated.
The management of the pub was unavailable for comment but the application for confirmation of the emergency hygiene notice was not opposed.