A Sheriff has agreed with a decision by Environmental Health Officers from the City of Edinburgh Council's Community Safety division to close a city food premises the third in two weeks.

Environmental Health Officers served a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice on Mr Mohammed Fiqir, the proprietor of a licensed grocer at 68 to 70 Walter Scott Avenue, Edinburgh following an inspection carried out on 3/07/07. An anonymous complaint of mice being seen in the shop, an extensive infestation was confirmed. The officers found both live and dead mice, mouse droppings, evidence of damaged and contaminated food and also noted that the premises had a strong smell of mouse urine throughout.

Sheriff Allan granted an application on behalf of Council Environmental Health Officers confirming that they had acted correctly in issuing a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice, on the basis that the condition of the premises posed an imminent risk to health.

A Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice has the effect of immediately closing a food business and is only served when there is an imminent risk to the health of people consuming food which has handled, prepared, processed or stored on the premises.

The premises were subsequently allowed to reopen on 12th July, when it was determined that the risk to health no longer existed as conditions had vastly improved. Officers are required to seek confirmation from the court that their actions were proportionate, given the nature of the health risk conditions. The premises continue to be subject to regular visits to ensure continued improvement to full compliance with food safety regulations.

Councillor Robert Aldridge, Executive Member for Environment said, "Environmental Health Officers will respond to any hygiene complaints made by the public and make sure that their concerns are addressed. As a Council we will not tolerate any business operating in a manner which could put the health of their customers at risk."