A Premier Express convenience store in Portsmouth, Hampshire, has been forcibly shut down by authorities after environmental health officers discovered what they described as the most severe mouse infestation they had ever encountered in a retail setting.
Shocking Discovery of Rodent Activity
Health and safety inspectors were called to the Premier Express Nice 'n' Fresh shop following a complaint from a disgusted member of the public. What they found appalled even experienced officials.
Multiple packets of crisps and Mini Cheddars displayed on shelves had been torn open and partially eaten by mice. The contaminated snacks remained available for purchase alongside other products. Mouse droppings were found littered throughout the store, including on shelves next to sweets and other food items.
Immediate Legal Action Taken
Portsmouth City Council environmental health officers were so concerned by the conditions that they immediately issued a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition notice, effectively shutting down the business. This action was subsequently confirmed by a district judge at Portsmouth Magistrates Court, which granted a full Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order along with costs.
The order specifically bans Pinal and Mehul Ltd, the food business operator, from trading at the Premier Express Nice 'n' Fresh location until the mouse infestation is completely resolved. The court cited "imminent risk of illness" to public health as the primary justification for the closure.
Official Response to the Crisis
Councillor Lee Hunt, cabinet member for community safety, leisure and sport at Portsmouth City Council, expressed both concern and disappointment at the situation. "The environmental health officer who visited described this as one of the worst infestations they have ever seen in a retail business," he stated.
Hunt emphasized the serious health risks posed by such conditions: "Mice can spread diseases such as salmonella and campylobacter through their droppings and urine, so when they come into contact with open food or contaminate the outside of packets like in this case, there is an imminent risk of illness to people's health."
The councillor added that while the council prefers to work with businesses to resolve issues before they reach such dangerous levels, immediate closure becomes necessary when public health is at serious risk. He noted that most traders in the city maintain good hygiene practices.
Broader Context of Food Safety Failures
This incident follows another significant food safety case in December last year, when a south London cheese shop was fined £75,000 after health inspectors discovered similar rodent problems.
Croydon Magistrates Court convicted and sentenced Heritage Cheese Kitchen Ltd in November for breaches of food safety standards at two separate locations. At their Dulwich store in May 2024, inspectors found rodents had nibbled on one kilogram of ham in a walk-in fridge that was also contaminated with droppings. The contaminated ham was destroyed on-site, and the store agreed to close voluntarily.
A second inspection in June 2024 at the company's Tower Bridge location revealed further serious failures, including extensive mouse droppings on shelves, in storage areas, and in crates used to transport cheese. Additional violations included no hot water, poor hygiene practices, and unsanitary equipment used for food preparation. When staff were unable to confirm expiry dates for 30kg of cheese, the products were destroyed and the business was closed.
These cases highlight the ongoing challenges in maintaining food safety standards across the retail sector and the serious consequences businesses face when they fail to protect public health from rodent contamination and other hygiene hazards.
