Shop fined for mouse and cockroach infestation

A shop in Coventry was fined after inspectors discovered a mice and cockroach infestation, a council said.

Food and safety officers visited 4 Ways Fine Foods on Walsgrave Road in February 2024, after concerns were raised about rotten fruit and vegetables.

During the unannounced inspection, both cockroach and mice activity were found inside the premises, the city council said.

The business' operator, Diyar Kadar, pleaded guilty to three hygiene offences at Coventry Magistrates' Court and was fined a total of £3,280, they added.

After the inspection, the firm agreed to voluntarily close and treatment, cleaning and proofing were carried out, the council said.

The shop reopened once no further evidence of pests was found.

The council said Mr Kadar pleaded guilty to failure to put in place adequate procedures to control pests, failure to keep the premises clean and failure to protect food from contamination.

A spokesperson added he had tried to treat the mouse problem and cleaned regularly but had not realised the extent of the infestation as he had not been spending much time at the shop due to family circumstances.

He was fined £200 on 29 January and ordered to pay costs of £3,000 with a victim surcharge of £80.

Officers revisited the site on 13 March where they found cleaning standards had been maintained and there was no evidence of any mice or cockroaches.

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