A Oldham café was given a zero food hygiene rating,the lowest possible ,following an inspection by environmental health officers.
An uncontrolled mouse infestation was discovered and droppings were found in drawers with utensils, on a work surface behind a pie warmer and on shelving during the inspection at Unit C, Westwood Industrial Estate, Arkwright Street, in October last year.
The business voluntarily closed at the time of the inspection and was told it required urgent improvement.
It was only permitted to reopen by the council after a deep clean of the premises had taken place and the mouse infestation had been treated and was under control.The cafe has since closed and is no longer operating.
On April 21 the former operators of the business, Protec Security Group Limited, of Higginshaw Lane, Royton pleaded guilty to two offences under the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013.
The company was fined £1,400 for each offence, ordered to pay costs of £1,050 and told to pay a victim surcharge of £140.
Helen Lockwood, Deputy Chief Executive of Oldham Council, said: “As a council we are here to ensure premises that sell food to residents are clean and are operating within the law.
“In the last 16 months our officers have visited more than 1,200 food businesses and 93 per cent of those have a food hygiene rating of 3 or above, which is good news for buyers.”
“Sadly a small percentage of business owners are not keeping their premises clean and safe. We will continue to visit premises and take action against those who break the law.”
All food businesses inspected by the council are given a hygiene rating based on their compliance with the legal requirements for hygiene, structural condition and confidence in the management.
A business is rated from five, where standards are very good, through to a zero for those premises that need to improve urgently.
