Latest news with #ratinfestation
The Sun
a day ago
- Health
- The Sun
Historic seafood restaurant seen on Antiques Roadshow and Lovejoy forced to shut down after ‘terrible' rat infestation
AN HISTORIC sea food restaurant has been closed down court action after a rat infestation was discovered in the building. The infestation in the grade II listed building in Maldon, Essex, was discovered by district council hygiene officers. 3 3 Maldon District Council took court action against Fish on the Quay which is located on Church Street. Some parts of the historic building, which is used today as a restaurant, pub and a bed and breakfast, date back to the 15th century. Hygiene officers visited the business after receiving a complaint and discovered a "horrendous" rat infestation. Rodents at the restaurant were reportedly discovered licking tubs of honey and leaving droppings in the kitchen. The infestation was said to be in the venue's kitchen, bar and cellar spaces and posed an 'imminent risk to the public." After visiting on June 13 inspectors photographed rat droppings within the condiments, on top of a fridge in a kitchen storage area, in packaging, and behind a freezer in a storage shed. The business has been closed until inspectors are satisfied that the issue has been addressed, pest control are reportedly on site on a daily basis. Staff at Fish on the Quay, which is owned and operated by The Jolly Sailor Ltd, are working with the council to fix the problem. A manager has vowed to reopen the venue in Hythe Quay, telling the BBC "everything is great." Council leader Richard Siddall said however that "incredibly serious offences" had been identified a the venue. Shocking moment pack of huge RATS swarm popular McDonald's The council took the restaurant to court to apply for a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order which was granted. The order means that the business cannot reopen until health risks are removed. Council officers are reportedly working with staff to ensure the safety of visitors and neighbours following the discovery of the rodent infestation. According to Sidall an "imminent risk to public health" had been identified. The rat infestation on the premises was identified as ongoing and extensive. Fish on the Quay has won several awards including a Diners' Choice award from OpenTable in 2022. 3 It also appeared on TV several times most notably when an episode of Lovejoy was filmed there in January 1992. It has also appeared on Lawless heart in 2001 and The Antiques Road show in 2007. The historic building was once a Customs house keeping an eye on boats going back and fourth up the River Blackwater. Currently there is a sign outside the historic building reading: "We are closed! Sorry for the inconvenience." Cllr Richard Siddall, Leader of Maldon District Council, said; 'Our officers took swift action against this business as soon as it became clear there was an imminent risk to public health. 'It is absolutely vital that food businesses are kept clean and in good repair in line with stringent food safety legislation. "A failure to do so could potentially result in terrible consequences for the public and we will always take action against any owners not abiding by these laws. 'Whilst these are incredibly serious offences, we will work with the operator to improve the standards of cleanliness and make sure that they comply food safety standards before they reopen.'
BBC News
a day ago
- Health
- BBC News
Fish on the Quay in Maldon closed by council over rat infestation
A seafood restaurant has been shut down after a widespread rat infestation was found at its on the Quay was visited by hygiene officers from Maldon District Council, who took court action on leader Richard Siddall said "incredibly serious offences" had been identified at the venue in the Essex contacted by the BBC, a manager vowed to reopen on Friday and insisted "everything is great". The restaurant in Hythe Quay - which is also home to a pub and a bed and breakfast - is "committed to sourcing the freshest ingredients", according to its website.A Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order, made at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court, meant health risks must be removed before reopening. Council officers have been working with the business, which also offers a bed and breakfast service, to protect visitors, staff and nearby a Maldon District Independent, said there had been an "imminent risk to public health".He stressed having an "active and widespread" rat infestation could have had "terrible consequences" for customers."Whilst these are incredibly serious offences, we will work with the operator to improve the standards of cleanliness and make sure that they comply with food safety standards before they reopen," the council leader added. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
News.com.au
05-06-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
World's worst hoarder ordered to clean rat-infested yard
A woman whose yard has become a rat-infested pile of junk has been ordered by her local council to clean up the mess following an outcry from neighbours. Sharon Cochrane's property has become a hoarder's paradise in just two short years, with broken furniture, household appliances and bags of rubbish stacked to the eaves. The property, located in the UK at Hunstanton, Norfolk, has become a source of anger for neighbours dealing with the impact the rubbish pile is bringing to their street. 'I appreciate there are laws and regulations but some people seem to live above them,' neighbour Tammy Edmunds told The Sun. 'The street has been suffering with this on and off for ten years and in the last five weeks its gotten worse. 'It's a fire hazard and risk of health and safety. 'We've heard of rats from there spreading across to other properties which has meant pest control have had to come out.' A supermarket trolley full of groceries had also been left in the yard and a damaged car is parked on the street as well. Ms Cochrane, 66, says people should mind their own business. 'The world is going to hell in a handbasket and people care so much about my furniture on my own drive,' she said. 'I don't understand why people are so concerned.' Despite Ms Cochrane's protests, the local council has agreed 'direct action' can be taken if necessary. A spokesman for the council said: 'The council is working with the owner to manage her property. 'Officers recognise that she has made an effort to clear the exterior and they will continue to support her to do this. 'However, they also have the council's authority to take direct action, which means that if it becomes necessary a clear-up can be undertaken, for which she will be liable.' West Norfolk Council has served an enforcement notice ordering Ms Cochrane to clear up the mess. If the council is forced to step in and clear out the mess on its own, Ms Cochrane will be liable for the cost and could lose her AUD $520,000 property help pay.
The Sun
05-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
Homeowner with mountain of festering rubbish piling up in her garden is threatened with ‘direct action'
A COUNCIL has threatened to take 'direct action' to clear up a rat-infested front garden piled high with junk. Sharon Cochrane's property in Hunstanton, Norfolk, is nearly buried with broken furniture, bags of rubbish, and household appliances. 4 4 Now, West Norfolk councillors have agreed "direct action" can be taken if necessary over Ms Cochrane's untidy plot at her £250,000 property. However, the authority has said no deadline has been set and it is trying instead to work with her because she has begun to clear the rubbish. A spokesman for the council said: "The council is working with the owner to manage her property. "Officers recognise that she has made an effort to clear the exterior and they will continue to support her to do this. "However, they also have the council's authority to take direct action, which means that if it becomes necessary a clear-up can be undertaken, for which she will be liable." Ms Cochrane, 66, enraged neighbours on the resort's Chatsworth Road after junk piled high in her front garden. A supermarket trolley full of groceries had also been left, while a car with a damaged wing and flat front tyre is parked on the street outside with a sideboard next to it. But Ms Cochrane previously insisted it was no-one else's business. She said: "The world is going to hell in a handbasket and people care so much about my furniture on my own drive. "I don't understand why people are so concerned." Locals said the pile was attracting vermin and was lowering the tone of the whole street. One neighbour said: "I'd like to throw a molotov cocktail on it. "People have tried to get lots of different agencies involved but nothing seems to happen. "We only occasionally see her walk past to Tesco with a shopping trolley. "This is a quiet, peaceful road and it's a shame." Tammy Edmunds, spokesperson of Chatsworth Road, said: "How can the law of the land let someone live in such squalor and filth? "I appreciate there are laws and regulations but some people seem to live above them. "The street has been suffering with this on and off for ten years and in the last five weeks its gotten worse. "It's a fire hazard and risk of health and safety. "We've heard of rats from there spreading across to other properties which has meant pest control have had to come out." West Norfolk Council served an enforcement notice under the Town and Country Planning Act ordering Ms Cochrane to clear up the mess. If it takes "direct action", she would be liable for the cost of removing it and could have a charge put on her property to recover the money if she is unable to pay. The Sun has contacted West Norfolk council for additional comment and updates. 4 4
Daily Mail
30-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Bedbound pensioner's toe is chewed off by a RAT while 88-year-old was waiting for council to send an exterminator round
A bedbound pensioner had her toe chewed off by a rat while she waited for the council to send a pest exterminator to her home. The 88-year-old's daughter, Andrea Scott, first raised the infestation with the Labour-run local authority after seeing one of the rodents run from an armchair into the kitchen of her mother's home. Ms Scott was shocked when they told her that her elderly mother would have to pay £297 for the council to send round a pest exterminator - a cost out of reach for the diabetic pensioner, who has not been named. Even once she had paid for the treatment herself Ms Scott, who lives in a council-supplied house in Southampton, Hampshire, was given a date weeks away for the exterminator's visit. In the meantime she laid her own rat traps and poison in her mother's home to try and catch the rodents but none were caught. The situation drastically worsened on May 20 when Ms Scott got a call from her mother's carers who had discovered that a rat had chewed through the 88 year old's sock and the top of her toe, including the toenail. Ms Scott, 56, said the carers 'screamed' when they saw the puddle of blood on her mother's bed and that the whole family are still in shock, more than a week later. 'I was horrified and a week on our family are still in shock,' she said. 'Mum is diabetic meaning she has no feeling in her legs - the only positive is that she was not in any pain. 'She is currently in hospital - she just keeps saying "I can't believe what has happened". 'The council chose not to support a vulnerable old lady and look at what has happened.' Ms Scott continued: 'Why should any council tenant be forced to pay to get rid of the rats? 'Her carers found a puddle of blood and screamed when they saw what had happened. 'It's been so traumatic for mum and the whole family - I won't ever let her back in that house. 'From the research we have done it's the bedbound who are most vulnerable.' Neighbours of the 88-year-old told Ms Scott that they had also been having problems with rats. A Southampton City Council Spokesperson said: 'We take all reports of pest sightings seriously and encourage residents to report them to us using our website so that our team can assess the situation and work with the resident to deal with the issue. 'In response to a report made on Tuesday 27 May which raised the issues of a rat infestation and potentially unsafe electrics, the council are attempting to arrange an urgent visit from both the pest and electrical teams to investigate this issue further. 'Our thoughts are with the individual and we will continue to work with the family to ensure her mother's home is safe and free from pests.'
