Dead mouse, droppings and nibbled packets found at shop
OWNER SAYS HE HAS RAMPED UP HYGIENE SINCE JUNE INSPECTION
A DEAD mouse was found at a Derby convenience store as well as several food items which had been gnawed on by rodents.
Elton Road Convenience Store, a branch of Premier Stores in Allenton, was given a one-star food hygiene rating in late June after inspectors discovered the mouse behind a freezer, as well as well as droppings throughout the building.
They also found nine packets of crisps which had been nibbled on, and drinks were found being stored in the staff toilet.
The problems were enough for the shop to voluntarily close for two days so that issues could be rectified due to the risk to public health.
The owner has since said that issues were caused because he had suffered ill health and that he now has specialists carry out regular hygiene checks.
The report from Derby City Council said: “I was disappointed to find that food safety had been compromised at the time of the visit due to an active mouse infestation.
“At the time of my visit you did not have a pest control contractor to help you treat the mouse infestation. You should enlist the services of a competent pest controller to treat for mice, which will help to eradicate the problem.
“I remind you that the standards found at my initial visit on 29 June 2021 will not be tolerated by this department and if similar standards are found at future visits then further legal action will be taken.”
The store was given a one-star food hygiene rating, meaning major improvements are necessary. It was found to require major improvement in hygienic food handling and management of food safety, while cleanliness and condition of the facilities and building were found to be generally satisfactory.
The report, seen by the Derby Telegraph following a Freedom of Information request, also shows how staff were not provided with hygienic hand-drying facilities, and there were no documented food safety systems in place.
Premier Stores did not comment due to shops being franchised.
When the Derby Telegraph visited the store, the owner, who did not want to be named, told us that a pest controller was now attending the premises every two months, and that the problems arose due to him needing time off due to health concerns stemming from the pandemic.
Criteria for food hygiene inspections are set by the Food Standards Agency, with inspections carried out by the local authority.
A zero-star rating means urgent improvement is necessary, with three stars meaning an outlet is generally compliant with regulations.
The Derby Telegraph regularly reports on businesses which are given low food hygiene scores.
After a business is inspected, the council has 14 days to inform operators of the scoring decision.
The business then has 21 days to appeal against that decision and only after this can we submit a Freedom of Information request, which can take up to 20 working days to be provided.
Once we receive the information, we again contact the business in question to see what action it has taken before publishing the findings of the report.
The information above was correct as of September 27, 2021.