Swindon halal butchers shut due to rat infestation

A Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order has been imposed on Kenya Halal Butchers

A butchers shop has been closed after health inspectors discovered a rat infestation.

Council officers visited Kenya Halal Butchers in Bridge Street, Swindon, and found large quantities of rat droppings in front of the meat counter.

Raw meat was also stored on the dirty floor surface of a walk-in freezer.

Swindon Magistrates imposed a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order on the shop, which means it must stay shut until the council believes it is safe.

The court heard how Swindon Borough Council officers found the business open and serving customers when they visited on 28 February, and immediately noticed how dirty it was.

Nesting material and rat droppings were found on the shop floor in front of the meat counter

Gnawed bags of food were found, and evidence that rats had been climbing across the shop's food counters.

There were also large amounts of rat droppings in front of the meat counter.

Magistrates heard that rats had taken material from all around the shop, and made a nest in the meat counter.

Health inspectors found raw meat stored on the floor of a walk-in freezer

The court was also told that there was a cement mixer being stored at the rear of the shop, making it impossible for the owners to clean properly.

Officers described the walk-in freezers as "filthy", with raw meat stored directly on a dirty floor.

The owners of the business, Kenya Butchers Swindon Ltd, did not attend court.

They will have to contact the borough council, which was awarded £3,493.70 in costs by the court, for permission