McDonald’s in High Road, Leytonstone has been forced to close
(Picture: Google)A McDonald’s branch where mice overran its kitchen has been shut down due to “an imminent risk to public health”, environmental health inspectors said.
Customers sitting down for lunch were asked to leave the premises in High Road, Leytonstone following an urgent inspection by Waltham Forest Council.
It is believed to be the first case of its kind against the fast food chain in more than 20 years.
A complaint from a customer indicated there was rodent activity at the restaurant on Friday, October 15.
Food and safety officers quickly established the presence of mice in the business, with mouse droppings found in the kitchen and other areas.
A dead mouse was discovered in a storage cupboard. Inspectors also found a bacon slice and other food debris on the filthy floor.
The restaurant was then closed on the grounds that there was an imminent risk to public health.
On Thursday, Thames Magistrates’ Court granted a hygiene emergency prohibition order which means that the restaurant cannot reopen until necessary improvements have been made and the risk to the public removed.
McDonald’s did not contest the action and also agreed to pay the full costs of £1,821 associated with the formal closure action.
Waltham Forest deputy leader Councillor Clyde Loakes, 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.
“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.”
A McDonald’s spokesman 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.”
