A MAJOR UK supermarket with over 900 branches has been forced to shut one of its stores following a mouse infestation.
Inspectors found evidence of “gnawed food” and a “significant risk of contamination.”
Iceland in Maidstone, Kent has been issued a hygiene emergency prohibition notice after an unannounced visit on February 20.
The store, based in The Mall, is known for selling frozen food at an affordable price.
Following a complaint made by a member of public, the local authority sent its food and safety team out to investigate.
During the visit they found “evidence of an active infestation of mice.”
A Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice was served immediately, a spokesperson told Kent Online.
They added: “The council is working closely with Iceland Foods Ltd and the management of The Mall to address the situation.”
The notice has also been posted on the store’s window.
It reads: “There is an active, widespread infestation of mice, with gnawed food, poor maintenance of routine cleaning resulting in a significant risk of contamination of food.”
A spokesperson for Iceland said the store was “immediately deep cleaned” following the visit.
The team has also been working with environmental health and the council to reopen as quickly as possible.
It comes after Iceland announced another store closure following a string of shutdowns.
The branch at the Derbion Shopping Centre in Derby closes this weekend.
But thankfully, it’s relocating to a unit in nearby London Road, just over a mile away.
Either way, shoppers have been left disappointed after finding out the Derbion shopping centre branch will close its doors for good.
Posting online, one said: “Derby city centre is dire.”
Another, left concerned over the location of the new shop being too far from public transport, commented: “A lot further for people to carry there shopping to the bus station.”
The retailer also shut its Welling branch in London, on February 1, with no reason given.
However, a spokesperson said staff from the branch were offered job opportunities at surrounding stores “where possible”.
A slew of other stores have shuttered since the New Year, including a location in Borehamwood and another in Exeter last month.
It’s worth bearing in mind, it’s common practice for retailers to shut stores in certain areas and open them in others based on demand.
For example, Iceland has plans to open 20 Iceland and Food Warehouse stores before the end of April.
The Food Warehouse is owned by the Iceland Foods Group and its first store opened in 2014.
The branches are larger than traditional Iceland stores and usually found in retail parks.
