A Morrisons supermarket in east London has been temporarily closed following a reported rat infestation.
Mice and rats were reportedly discovered in the shop in Chingford, Waltham Forest, which is situated near the River Lea and Banbury Reservoir.
Waltham Forest Council’s food safety and hygiene team said the standard of cleaning in the Chingford Store store was “very poor” and there were “active rat and active mouse infestations”. It also pointed to “leaking water” and “localised flooding” within the building.
The store was shut on Wednesday and a notice was shared on social media.
A spokesperson for Morrisons said pest control had been brought in and the company hoped to “open again very soon”.
Khevyn Limbajee, the council’s cabinet member for community safety, said a court hearing is “due imminently”.
He said in a statement: “Under food hygiene regulations the council has served a hygiene emergency prohibition notice to temporarily close the Morrisons store in Chingford. A court hearing is due imminently. We are unable to comment further at this time.”
The spokesperson for Morrisons added: “Following a visit from the local council, our Chingford store has been closed.
“We have Rentokil on site now to investigate the reported pest issue and hopefully we’ll have the store open again very soon.”
No reopening date has been given by either the council or Morrisons.
