The Range store fined over 'severe' rat infestation

Rats gnawed into human and pet food packaging

A branch of The Range has been fined £640,000 for "failing to control" a rat infestation.

Rat droppings were found on shelves next to food in the public area of the Taunton branch of the retail chain, and food packaging had been gnawed into.

Somerset Council prosecuted the company for seven food hygiene offences over the "severe" infestation.

The Range said it has put measures in place to tackle the issue and acknowledged it was a "serious matter".

The fine was cut from nearly £1m to £640,000 after the company entered an early guilty plea.

Somerset Council said the fine "recognises the significance" of the incidents.

The investigation, which started after a tip-off in March of 2022, lasted eight months and involved 20 visits.

Food packaging had been damaged by the rodents

Somerset Council prohibited the superstore from selling food for human consumption in August 2022.

But during monitoring visits after the prohibition notice was issued, food was found being sold which could have caused an "imminent risk to health" and in contravention to the order.

Taunton Magistrates Court then issued an emergency hygiene prohibition order in September 2022.

Somerset Council said both pet and human food was found that had been "gnawed", and food packaging had been "damaged and contaminated" by rats.

Rat droppings were also found on shelves next to food in the shop area and warehouse, the authority added.

The Range store in Taunton had its fine cut to £640,000 after an early guilty plea

The council said the business "failed to control" rat activity and act on advice given by the authority and their contracted pest control company.

Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, lead member for communities, housing and culture on Somerset Council, said: "The fine imposed by the court recognises the significance of the rat infestation in the business and the potential this had to cause harm to human health."

CDS (Superstores International) Ltd, operating as The Range Home and Leisure at Hankridge, Taunton, entered guilty pleas to the charges in September 2023.

The sentencing hearing was adjourned to 4 December when the fine was issued, and the company was ordered to pay £190 surcharge and £26,593 - the full cost of Somerset Council taking the case to court.

'A serious matter'

A spokesperson for The Range said: "As a responsible retailer, we strive to attain and maintain the highest standards of food safety for our customers.

"We are disappointed that we did not meet our own high standards on this occasion and while it was a complex situation at just one of our stores, we do acknowledge this is a serious matter.

"Measures to combat the issue were taken at the time and steps have also been taken across all our stores to prevent the risk of recurrence.

"As a company, we will continue to put the health and safety of our colleagues and valued customers first."