Publican fined over gnawed nuts

The owner of a pub where a packet of nuts was found gnawed on the bar and a dead mouse was discovered in the beer cellar has been ordered to pay more than £1,000.

Paula Hall, trading as the Farmers' Arms on Stockport Road, Levenshulme, pleaded guilty to five food hygiene offences during a hearing at Manchester Magistrates' Court on Wednesday December 16. She was fined £500 with £500 costs and a £15 victims of crime surcharge.

A Manchester City Council officer discovered a mouse infestation after visiting the premises in May. The officer ordered the premises to be closed until the premises had been thoroughly cleaned and the infestation had been dealt with.

Mouse droppings were found in the bar area, while mice had gnawed their way into a packet of nuts on the bar and a dead mouse was discovered in the pub's cellar.

There were also gaps in the building's structure including a gap under the main door, enabling the pests to get into the pub.

Councillor Richard Cowell, Manchester City Council's Executive Member for the Environment, said: "Pubs, like any other businesses that sell food, have got a responsibility to make sure their customers are protected from infestations.

"Residents should be reassured we deal with problems like this swiftly, while business owners should be warned they face prosecution if they do not take their responsibilities seriously."