During their probe, Environmental Health Officers discovered Castle Street Discount Stores was not maintained to an acceptable standard – and there was an active rat infestation
The operators of a Belfast City Centre shop have been slapped with a £1500 fine and ordered to cough up £531 in legal costs after Environmental Health Officers stumbled upon an active rat infestation during a routine hygiene inspection. Sanguinius Ltd, who run Castle Street Discount Stores, were hauled before Belfast Magistrates Court today.
The offences came to light following a routine hygiene sweep of the premises on February 16, 2024. During their probe, Environmental Health Officers discovered that Castle Street Discount Stores was not maintained to an acceptable standard – and there was an active rat infestation. The premises were given a dismal rating of one, signalling “major improvement necessary” to meet the food hygiene requirements.
The food business operator agreed to shut up shop voluntarily, reports Belfast Live. The premises flung open their doors again when officers were satisfied enough steps had been taken to eliminate the immediate risk to public health.
The premises have since seen an upgrade in their rating following another inspection where hygiene conditions within the premises were deemed to be generally satisfactory, and a food hygiene rating of three was issued.
It comes as residents and homeowners in Glasgow say they are facing a ‘massive rat infestation’ — with rats jumping out of bins and appearing in toilet pans. Tenants in Drumchapel, Glasgow, claim rodent sightings have increased massively since general waste bin collections were reduced to just one every three weeks in 2020 and 2021.
Moira Berry, 59, said: “I’ve had them in my garden, and last week one came up the toilet at 5am. I’ve caught two myself in a trap. It’s ever since this bin situation.”
People complain their bins are overflowing with over a week to go until the next general waste bin collection. Amy Stuart, 41, said: “The bins are shocking. Ever since the bin schedule was changed, the rats have come out in force.”
Rat holes can be seen up and down one street which lies across from a children’s play park. Dad of four Robert Hanna, 45, says he fears letting his children play out of the house due to the rat issue.
Robert told Glasgow Live: “We see them daily. Rats are jumping out of bins. My wife has come home to find rats scurrying around on the driveway.”
Robert says some of the houses on Summerhill Road have as many as twelve residents living within them, all using one bin. Robert’s family of six produces more waste than the bins can take. “One size does not fit all,” he said.
“We have black bins and green bins, and they are to last us for three weeks. It’s not going to work in these particular houses. We are jumping on the bins to try to squash things down. It just does not work. Roll on to now, and lo and behold there is a massive rat infestation.”
