Owner of squalid pizza takeaway littered with mouse droppings hit with £8,000 bill

The owner of an east London pizza takeaway has been hit with an almost £8,000 bill after the kitchen was found infested with mice droppings. Flavas Pizza in Roman Road, Bow, was shut for two days following an inspection by Tower Hamlets Council officers. In December 2014, the council’s environmental health team discovered a large amount of mouse droppings under, on and behind kitchen equipment. Evidence also showed rodents had gnawed through food packaging and entered the takeaway through access points. Droppings were found on a storage shelf and under fridges along with food debris, which officers said posed a health risk. The takeaway was shut by the council for two days using emergency closure powers but was allowed to reopen when conditions improved. However, a follow up visit last month showed the business had not taken advice given to them.

On Thursday, February 11, two company directors of Next Level Trading pleaded guilty to nine offences at Thames Magistrates’ Court. The company was fined £4,000, ordered to pay £3,500 costs and a £120 victim surcharge, leaving a total bill of £7,620.

The takeaway received a one out of five score on the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme

photograph of mouse showing the need for pest control