Wirral zero-star rated Subway overrun with mice

A Freedom of Information request shows the inspection – which took place in June – found a ‘widespread activity of mice’ which was an ‘imminent risk to health’ at the Grange Road premises in Birkenhead.

The company said it has made ‘vast improvements’ since that inspection – including overhauling the store’s management structure.

The June inspection saw the premises rated as zero-star by environmental health officers, who said they could not find sufficient evidence that owners were ‘controlling or managing the pest problem.’

The following standards were recorded:

• Hygienic food handling: Major improvement necessary

• Cleanliness and condition of facilities and building: Urgent improvement necessary

• Management of food safety: Urgent improvement necessary

The report goes on to say there were a vast amount of mouse droppings throughout the premises, which suggested either an infestation or a lack of cleaning over a sustained period of time.

Owners failed to put in place a suitable food hygiene practice; the standard of cleaning throughout the venue ‘required improvement’; and food preparation areas were covered in dirt, grease and debris – which contributed to the pest problem.

Salad cutting devices were defective and ‘very dirty’ with food debris and black deposits.

Inspectors also said staff were unsure how sanitising products worked.

Owners were advised to regularly inspect the premises for any dead carcasses and signs of activity; as well as implementing suitable cleaning regimes and ensuring all staff were properly trained and supervised.

The store’s area operations manager, Craig Impett, says vast improvements have been made since June.

He said: “We have basically changed the whole management structure within that store. We were very unhappy with what had happened and we worked closely with the Environmental Health team to make changes.

“There’s a brand new tone within the restaurant and we are looking forward to being reinspected.”