Three food businesses shut over pests as city restaurant is fined

Three Birmingham food businesses were forced to close over pest infestations this week, and a city centre restaurant was fined thousands of pounds for hygiene failings, after action by Birmingham City Council's environmental health officers.

Cockroaches on Alum Rock Road

At Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Friday 9 October, the council was granted hygiene emergency prohibition orders against two businesses on Alum Rock Road.

At the Charcoal Grill, officers inspected on 5 October after a complaint about pests, and found cockroaches running behind a freezer and in the store room, along with a dirty microwave, a grill clogged with grease, a chopping board in poor condition and dirty pipework. On re-inspection, cockroaches were still present. The court heard the owners had asked for "another chance" and were working to fix the problems.

At the Prime Shop convenience store, a routine inspection on 7 October found mouse droppings in the kitchen and cockroaches on shelves next to bread, on the floor and on a table used for food equipment. Officers found three generations of cockroaches, including a female carrying an egg case that could hatch 30 to 40 young.

Rats in an off-licence

At Oakhurst News Express, on Oakhurst Road, a routine inspection on 7 October found rat droppings, urine, blood believed to be from a rat on shelving next to food, and food packages with teeth marks. Rats appeared to be nesting. A hygiene emergency prohibition notice was served and the shop closed.

When officers returned on Friday 9 October, the infestation had been treated and the shop cleaned, and they concluded there was no longer a risk to public health. Magistrates were satisfied the notice had been properly served.

Restaurant fined

On Thursday 8 October, Chung Yuen Yue, director of Sum Yue Restaurant at Tin Tin Food Hall on Masshouse Lane, pleaded guilty to six breaches of food hygiene regulations after inspections in August 2025 and January this year found dirty floors, shelving, cookers and equipment, and no food safety management system.

The court heard he was a chef who had taken a risk opening his own restaurant, had accepted full responsibility and had taken on extra staff. The company was fined £3,500 and ordered to pay a £1,400 surcharge and £3,477.30 in costs.

Why it matters

Environmental health officers say cockroaches can carry bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella, and a single mouse can produce up to 80 droppings a day and squeeze through a gap the size of a pen. An emergency prohibition is used when officers believe there is an imminent risk to health, and a business cannot reopen until the council is satisfied the risk has gone.

Check before you eat

Every food business in Birmingham is given a food hygiene rating from 0 to 5 after inspection, and ratings can be checked on the Food Standards Agency website. Anyone who sees signs of pests or poor hygiene in a food business can report it to Birmingham City Council.