Whitechapel’s Café Fresh ‘not so fresh’ as Tower Hamlets inspectors find mouse infestation

A greasy spoon café in London’s East End has been fined in court for a mouse infestation that contaminated the food.

The owners of Whitechapel’s Café Fresh have been fined a total of almost £27,000 after being summonsed by Tower Hamlets Council.

The café in the Commercial Road was closed by public heath inspectors for a period last October, following “a severe mouse infestation” and the discovery of contaminated foods.

“We take breaches in hygiene regulations very seriously,” deputy mayor Shiria Khatun who is responsible for community safety said after the case. “We won’t hesitate to prosecute in such cases—but I’m glad to note that the café has now improved standards.”

Food Hygiene Improvement Notices were served on the owners, Fresh Frill Café, and its director Mahbub Alam.

But the notices had not been complied with when inspectors called again at the premises, Thames Magistrates’ Court was told. Some 12 hygiene offences were recorded, including failure to comply with the notices.

Alam admitted the offences and was fined £5,220, plus a contribution towards legal costs and a ‘victim’ surcharge.

His company was fined £12,000 as a result of the closure and was also ordered to pay remaining prosecution costs.

Inspectors have since been back to the café and have found that standards have improved “to a satisfactory condition”.