A convenience store shut down last month due to an alarming rat infestation has been granted permission to reopen – but will continue to operate with a damning zero food hygiene rating.
Swindon Borough Council took swift action on 17th June when environmental health officers served an Emergency Hygiene Prohibition Notice to 9 O’Clock Shop, located on Manchester Road. The store was deemed to pose an “imminent risk to health” after members of the public raised the alarm.
Details shared in Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Friday (18th July) painted a disturbing picture. Rats had been seen by a customer, triggering a council inspection. Officers uncovered a series of health breaches including chewed food items still on sale, rat droppings in various parts of the shop, and multiple holes beneath the butchery floor which had become access points for pests.
More worryingly, seven dead rats were discovered in the flat above the shop, and flies were seen landing on both meat preparation areas and food packaging. A large hole around a waste pipe added to the pest risk. The butchery area itself was poorly maintained, with visible debris in chillers and display units, and no suitable cleaning chemicals found in use.
A side room had a strong rodent smell and signs of smear marks on skirting boards. Council inspectors noted incense sticks had been burned – likely in an attempt to mask the odour.
Despite the shocking state of the premises, the store’s owners claimed they were addressing the issues. Pest control contractors were called in, and by 25th June a follow-up visit found marked improvements. The butchery floor had been replaced, pest-proofing measures were in place, and no further evidence of rodent activity was found. Cleaning standards had also reportedly improved.
Magistrates agreed that the Council’s original decision to close the shop was justified. The bench, chaired by Mrs Beverley Payne JP, supported the Emergency Prohibition Notice and awarded full costs of £2,922.50 to the Council.
Cllr Jim Grant, Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnerships, said: “Pest control should be a top priority for anyone running a food business. This case is a stark reminder of the consequences of neglecting basic hygiene. Thanks must go to the member of the public who alerted us – their vigilance helped us take swift action.”
Cllr Grant added that although improvements have been made and the store has reopened, a zero hygiene rating remains. “This doesn’t necessarily mean the business currently poses a health risk,” he explained. “But the rating gives consumers the ability to make informed choices. We expect the business to continue raising standards to rebuild public trust.”
Residents can check food hygiene ratings for all local businesses via the Food Standards Agency website.
