A McDonald’s restaurant in Leytonstone, East London, has been closed by council officers after a mouse infestation and poo was discovered.
Customers at the Leytonstone fast food branch were forced to leave the premises following an inspection on Friday, October 15.
The inspection by Waltham Forest Council’s Food & Safety Officers was prompted by a complaint from a customer which suggested there was “rodent activity” at the restaurant.
These allegations were quickly found to be true – the presence of mice was established as well as mouse poo in the kitchen and even a dead mouse in a storage cupboard.
The McDonald’s has been closed until it deals with the disgusting issues
(Image: Waltham Forest Council)
The restaurant was then closed on the grounds that there was an imminent risk to public health.
The east London McDonald’s will remain closed until council officers are certain the problem has been sorted
Thames Magistrates Court granted a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order on Thursday October 21, which means that the restaurant cannot reopen until necessary improvements have been made and the risk to the public removed.
The presence of rodents was discovered by the council after a tip off from a customer
(Image: Waltham Forest Council)
McDonald’s did not contest the action and also agreed to pay the council’s full costs of £1,821 associated with the formal closure action.
Councillor Clyde Loakes, Deputy Leader of Waltham Forest Council who oversees food hygiene in the borough, said: “We take all complaints about food hygiene very seriously, no matter how big or small the business.
“Customers need to be able to dine in confidence and safety and we will not hesitate to act when businesses do not meet their responsibilities.
Mice carry a range of diseases which could be dangerous to diners
(Image: Waltham Forest Council)
“We know McDonald’s does have a good record for cleanliness which is why these cases are so rare and I understand this is the first time council officers have closed one of its branches in more than two decades.
“Mice carry a range of diseases which can infect humans and cause real harm. I am glad that the company has acknowledged their failings in this incident and are cooperating with Council officers.”
The local council has encouraged diners to check the food hygiene ratings of any restaurant, takeaway, or food business by using the Food Standard Agency’s online toolkit here .
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A McDonald’s spokesperson said: “Cleanliness and hygiene is of the utmost importance to us.
“As soon as this issue was brought to our attention we worked with our pest prevention partner to take immediate action including extensively cleaning the restaurant and completing a number of structural works to ensure that any hygiene issues are permanently dealt with.
“We are working closely with Environmental Health Officers to ensure that the restaurant can be safely reopened as soon as possible.”
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