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Norwich supermarket temporarily closed because of rats
16/08/2012
A supermarket in Norwich has been temporarily closed down after pubic health inspectors found infestations of rats and cockroaches on the site.
The Norwich Evening News has reported that the Asian Bazaar supermarket on Magdalen Street was issued an emergency prohibition order by Norwich City Council last Saturday (August 11), after bags of goods that had been gnawed through by rats were found.
The shop’s owner, Shaju Joseph, was told to keep the shop closed to the public until extensive pest control measures have been carried out, including a thorough deep clean. Health officer, Yvonne Bleaks said that the infestations were discovered following a routine inspection and, in seeking the prohibition order, was able to show Norwich Magistrates’ Court photographs of rats on the site.
“But the shop has got to be deep cleaned and various traps laid down, so it may take a while before the shop can be safely re-opened to the public,” she said. “There’s an inherent risk to public health because rats’ urine can carry Weil’s Disease and there are bags of food in there that rats have been eating.
She did point out that Mr Joseph had taken previous action in July to try to address the problem but had been unsuccessful. She added, “It is also fair to say Mr Joseph has been fully co-operative with the council and has employed infestation experts.”
