Corner Café on Prescot Road in Fairfield was immediately closed by Liverpool Council environmental health officers after a live mouse was found behind a cooker in its kitchen. The business has since been fined after pleading guilty to 12 breaches of food safety and hygiene regulations.
Inspections uncover pest infestation
During a visit last June, officers found the premises infested with mice. Droppings were discovered throughout the café, including on and beneath cooking equipment and in direct contact with food. A live mouse was also seen in a hole behind a cooker in the kitchen.
Officers found the business had not taken sufficient steps to address the infestation despite remaining open to the public as a sit-in café and takeaway. The condition of the premises was so unhygienic that it was immediately closed because it posed an imminent risk to health.
Second visit finds further issues
Following the closure, the café was awarded the lowest possible food hygiene rating of zero, with urgent improvement necessary. Officers returned in November for a second inspection and found droppings, grease, and food debris behind equipment. Food almost a week out of date was also discovered in the kitchen.
Although pest activity remained evident, officers did not identify an imminent risk to health on that occasion, and the premises were not closed. The food hygiene rating was then graded as one out of five, deeming major improvements necessary.
Court action and fine
The Corner Café Limited pleaded guilty to breaching food safety and hygiene regulations at Liverpool Magistrates Court in September and was sentenced last week. The business was ordered to pay £2,700 and currently holds a food hygiene rating of one out of five.
Cllr Harry Doyle, Liverpool Council cabinet member for health, wellbeing and culture, said: “Food businesses have a legal responsibility to maintain proper hygiene standards and protect their customers from harm.
“The conditions our officers found at Corner Café on repeated visits fell far below what residents should expect when eating out.
“The presence of mice, evidence of contamination and poor food hygiene practices presented an unacceptable risk to public health. Despite being given opportunities to address these issues, significant concerns remained.
“We will not hesitate to take enforcement action where businesses fail to meet their obligations. Food hygiene ratings are there to help people make informed choices, and I would encourage residents to check them before deciding where to eat.”
