Thurrock Council was alerted over conditions at the restaurant in October last year when a customer complained that a pizza box had been gnawed by rodents.

An inspection revealed evidence of mouse droppings throughout the kitchen and food storage areas, including on pizza boxes. Glue traps were found to contain droppings and fur. The premises and equipment were filthy and staff had no hot water in the toilet’s wash hand basin. Officers closed the business for extensive cleaning and pest control measures to be carried out.

The directors of the company admitted to four offences, including lack of pest control procedures and failure to introduce a food safety management system, at Grays magistrates court.

A health officer commented: ‘The council work hard to ensure our residents can eat out, secure in the knowledge that they are dining in a clean and safe environment.’ The restaurant is now being operated under a new franchisee.