Mouse droppings ‘throughout the whole premises’ was just one of a multitude of reasons why a Preston business was issued with a zero hygiene rating and told to improve – or face enforcement action.

Burgr, a takeaway burger eatery on Deepdale Mill Street, was given the lowest possible rating of zero during an inspection by Preston City Council’s food safety officer earlier this year. It is the only dedicated eatery in Preston to hold the rating. 

Documents seen by Blog Preston show that the issues outlined included mouse droppings throughout the site, the standard of cleaning being ‘extremely poor’ with ‘significant build-up’ of grease and food waste and the shelving in the raw meat fridge encrusted with mould. 

Read more: Evidence of a mouse infestation was one of the problems identified at Burgr

Burgr voluntarily closed on 28 February to implement improvements and reopened on 1 March. If the business had not voluntarily closed, Blog Preston understands the council would have used emergency prohibition powers.

When a business closes for this reason, the food safety inspector will ensure that standards have improved to a minimum legal standard before it continues to trade. A full re-inspection for Burgr has been requested by the business and will take place within three months of the initial rating being given. 

The report said: “The standard of cleaning to the structure of the kitchen including the work surfaces was extremely poor. A thorough deep clean and disinfection is required due to the very poor cleaning standards and evidence of mouse droppings . All areas must be maintained in a clean condition. 

“During the inspection mouse droppings were noted throughout the whole premises at floor edges and under equipment. Appropriate treatment methods must be used to eliminate these pests.”

Images included evidence of mouse droppings, food debris on the floor, card being used below the fryers to soak the grease, the inside of the refrigeration units, blood in the sink area designated for handwashing and dirty toilets, kettles and microwaves. 

There were also significant concerns raised regarding cleaning procedures after the handling of raw meat, stock rotation and thermometers on refrigeration units. 

The report also states: “It was apparent during my inspection that the level of food hygiene awareness amongst your staff was inadequate as none of  the staff had received food hygiene training.”

All of these were included as part of a list of improvements Burgr must make in order to fulfil its legal obligations as a business. 

A number of improvements based on good practice rather than legal requirements, such as how utensils are cleaned and cross-contamination risk can be reduced were also outlined. 

The food safety officer for Preston City Council said in writing to Burgr: “I was of the opinion that the premises posed an imminent risk of injury to health due to the extremely poor cleaning standards and evidence of a mouse infestation.”

Blog Preston contacted Burgr for a statement but did not receive a response in time for publication.

Burgr food is currently only available by contacting them directly. JustEat demands a minimum hygiene rating of 3 to be listed on their app, while Deliveroo asks for 2. 

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