Mouse droppings were found at Dessert Lounge in Stockport
18:51, 16 Jun 2025Updated 22:29, 16 Jun 2025
Mouse droppings at Dessert Lounge in Stockport(Image: Stockport Council)
The owner of a dessert shop had to pay nearly £12,000 after the discovery of a severe mouse infestation.
Javid Shah, the owner of Dessert Lounge in Stockport, pleaded guilty on May 9 2025 to seven food hygiene offences after the disgusting conditions were found during a routine inspection.
Images from the dessert shop show mouse droppings strewn around, including next to bottles containing fruit flavoured syrups.
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The inspection found droppings on food packaging and plastic cups, as well as on work surfaces where food would be prepared.
Inspectors reported that the infestation was so serious that the mouse droppings were spotted as soon as they entered the premises.
Mr Shah was charged with failing to protect food and the premises from pest contamination, not keeping equipment and surfaces clean and disinfected, failing to ensure food packaging was not exposed to contamination, and not maintaining procedures based on HACCP principles.
The owner was ordered to pay nearly £12,000(Image: Stockport Council)
He was fined £3,500 and ordered to pay £7,000 in costs and a £1,400 victim surcharge.
In addition to the infestation, inspectors also found an unsatisfactory standard of cleaning across the establishment.
This included no effective pest control, as well as people handling food not receiving proper training or supervision.
The shop has since turned the hygiene around(Image: Stockport Council)
In addition, there was also not an accessible wash basin with hot and cold water, or somewhere for people to hygienically dry their hands.
Cllr Dan Oliver, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Public Protection, said:
“The appalling conditions found at Dessert Lounge represent a serious failure to protect public health.
“This kind of negligence is completely unacceptable, and we will continue to take strong enforcement action against any business that puts customers at risk.
“I’m pleased that improvements have now been made, but this prosecution sends a clear message that we will always prioritise the safety of residents and visitors when it comes to food hygiene.”
Since the legal action the business has taken steps to address the serious concerns which were raised.
An inspection has since been carried out on March 4 2025, and the business was awarded a Food Hygiene Rating of four.