Rancho Express: Fast food steakhouse forced to close by council after mouse droppings found in kitchen
The venue had mice droppings in the kitchen and dry store, a court was told.
A fast food takeaway in Portsmouth has been shut down by the city council after mouse droppings were found in the kitchen.
Rancho Express in London Road, Hilsea, was forced to close after Environmental Health found a hygiene emergency at the venue. The takeaway, which specialises in steaks, wagyu burgers and Mexican fajita wraps, was hit with an immediate closure order - which has now been extended at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court.
Addressing the court, city council solicitor Mary Kigonya said: “The condition of the premises involves a risk of injury to health. The appropriate prohibition is the immediate closure of Rancho Express, so it cannot be used.
“The risk here is the coconut flour, which has been gnawed at by mice, and droppings found near a batch of onions. The droppings are in the dry store area, and the kitchen. The mice have effectively lived in the premises.
“It appears Rancho Express has been using domestic rat and mice poison devices, and has since instructed a commercial pest controller.”
The court was supplied 12 pages of images from inside the takeaway venue, taken by the city council.
“Mice don’t have a bladder,” Ms Kigonya added. “So where there’s droppings there will also be urine.
“If the health risk is abated, the order can be lifted.”
The court heard how an inspection is due later today (Thursday, June 4), which means the venue could be reopened sooner rather than later.
The closure order was agreed by the court, alongside costs of £707.50 and a court fine of £284.