A local pub has been forced to pay more than £52,000 after a serious pest infestation was discovered during a food safety inspection.
During repeated visits in 2024 to The Grosvenor, in Oaklands Road, Hanwell, Ealing Council officers found widespread evidence of pests. Mice droppings were found in the kitchen on food preparation surfaces and equipment, next to food equipment, and on the floor.
Redcat Retail Pubs Ltd, which owns the pub, was sentenced at Ealing Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 22 April 2026. The company pleaded guilty to 3 offences linked to poor pest control and failing to comply with a legal notice served by the council.
The court ordered the company to pay a fine of £37,000, a £2,000 victim surcharge, and £13,362 in legal costs – a total of £52,363.
Immediate closure
The court heard that council officers carried out an unannounced food hygiene inspection at the pub on 1 February 2024 following a complaint about food poisoning. Mouse droppings were discovered in the kitchen and basement, including on food preparation surfaces, equipment, shelving, and the floor. In the basement, inspectors also found packets of ready-to-eat foods that had been gnawed and contaminated, as well as droppings on food and drink storage areas.
Because it was seen to be a risk to public health, the pub was ordered to close immediately after being served with a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice.
The pub was allowed to reopen on 14 February 2024 after improvement work was carried out. However, when food inspectors returned for another unannounced check in July 2024, further evidence of mice was found in the basement, including droppings on floors and shelving.
The business was given a food hygiene rating of 2, meaning improvement was needed. A Hygiene Improvement Notice was then served, requiring the company to put proper pest control measures in place by 22 August 2024. When inspectors revisited on 27 August 2024, mouse droppings were still present, and the notice had not been complied with.
The Grosvenor remains open for business, but now only serves drinks. It was inspected in January of this year and awarded a 4* hygiene rating.
Protecting residents
Rodents, such as mice, can spread harmful bacteria and contaminate food, putting customers at risk of illness. All food businesses have a legal duty to keep their premises clean and free from pests. The council carries out unannounced inspections across the borough and can take enforcement action, including closing businesses and bringing court proceedings, when standards are not met.
Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, the council’s cabinet member for decent living incomes, said: “Rodent infestations in food businesses are completely unacceptable. They put customers at risk and show a clear failure to meet basic food hygiene standards. When businesses ignore the law, we will take firm action to protect residents and hold those responsible to account.
“If you’re thinking of eating out, we highly recommend checking the business’s hygiene rating first.”
To tell the council about a food business that you have concerns about, email foodsafety@ealing.gov.uk
