A supermarket in one of London’s wealthiest areas had to close for more than a week because it was infested with mice.
The Sainsbury’s Local store in Westbourne Grove in Bayswater shut on Tuesday last week. An “emergency prohibition notice” from council inspectors told customers it was closed on health grounds because of mice “and poor maintenance of routine cleaning” that created a “significant risk of food contamination”.
Despite pest controllers laying traps and poison, and cleaning and sealing holes, the shop remained closed until today.
Sainsbury’s said: “We’ve high standards so are obviously very concerned. We’ve taken immediate action to eradicate this isolated incident and are working with the authorities to get the store open as soon as possible.”
James Armitage, Westminster council’s food health and safety manager, confirmed a “serious” infestation, adding: “Dirty conditions that are a threat to public safety are unacceptable.”
