Two takeaways in Salford have been fined more than £25,000 after mouse droppings were found on their premises. Salford council prosecuted Burgerslut and The Brothers Chicken and Pizza, both on Langworthy Road in Seedley, for breaches of food hygiene regulations.
Inspections uncover infestations
Action began in 2025 when the council's environmental health team received a complaint that a rodent had been seen in an office on Langworthy Road. A hygiene inspection of Burgerslut found evidence of a mouse infestation, and officers then extended their search next door to The Brothers Chicken and Pizza, where another active mouse infestation was discovered.
Inspectors identified 'significant shortcomings' in both businesses' food safety management systems.
Court proceedings and penalties
The council normally uses a staged approach to enforcing food safety, but both businesses had accepted simple cautions for similar offences a year earlier. Because of the repeat of serious food safety contraventions, the council said it had no option but to instigate legal proceedings.
At Manchester Magistrates Court on October 16, both takeaways were found guilty of failing to have adequate procedures in place to control pests, and of failing to implement and maintain a permanent procedure based on HACCP principles. Both offences breach food hygiene regulations.
Burgerslut (Manchester) Limited, which operated Burgerslut, was fined £16,000 and ordered to pay £1,500 in costs and a £2,000 victim surcharge. Shewa Hot Food Limited, which runs The Brothers Chicken and Pizza, must pay £4,250 – comprising a £2,000 fine, £1,450 in costs and an £800 victim surcharge.
Shop manager Barham Ali of Elder Mount Road in Manchester was fined £240 and ordered to pay a £96 victim surcharge and £1,450 in costs.
Council response
Councillor Barbara Bentham, lead member for neighbourhoods, environment and community safety at Salford City Council, said: “When people buy takeaway food, they expect it to be of good quality and prepared in clean premises. The failings identified in these cases were serious and action has now been taken.
“Our environmental health officers work hard to help businesses maintain high standards across the city. As these prosecutions demonstrate, we will not hesitate to take appropriate action where standards fall below those expected and where public health may be put at risk.”
