Golden House takeaway, on Rochford’s Southend Road, has been hit with an immediate closure notice after a visit from Rochford Council’s environmental health officers.
A “hygiene emergency prohibition notice” posted on the front of the business states there is an “active infestation of mice resulting in a significant risk of contamination to food”.
We’re now on WhatsApp! Join our new channel at https://bit.ly/4eGOxig to get all the latest breaking news and exclusive stories delivered straight to your phone.
The immediate closure notice was spotted by residents over the weekend and shared across social media.
Infestation – The popular takeaway is found on Rochford’s Southend Road (Image: Google Maps) Following the news of the takeaway’s closure Conservative councillor for Roche South ward, Mike Steptoe, said: “I know that the health department officers at Rochford Council will take into account public health as their first priority.
“However, I am sure that they will be actively working with the takeaway’s owners to get its doors back open as soon as is safely possible.”
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 in the UK, employers are obligated to provide a safe and healthy working environment. This duty extends to protecting workers from risks associated with rodent infestations such as mice.
A spokesperson for Rochford Council said: “We can confirm that the establishment has been temporarily shut down following the discovery of a mice infestation.
“As this matter is currently under investigation and pending legal action, we are unable to provide further details at this time, beyond what is displayed on the official closure notice.”
Once a hygiene emergency prohibition notice has been issued, environmental health officers will go to magistrates to request a hygiene emergency prohibition order.
In order to re-open, business owners must carry out the required hygiene and safety improvements promptly and provide evidence of these changes to the council.
Confident – Councillor Mike Steptoe trusts environmental health officers to handle the situation (Image: Mike Steptoe) Once the improvements have been made, the council will conduct a re-inspection to ensure the issues have been resolved.
The business will be allowed to re-open if inspectors are satisfied with the improvements.
Golden House is a popular takeaway option for Rochford residents, and offers a menu of traditional Chinese takeaway dishes. The business has been contacted for comment.