Stockport Environmental Health team take action against dessert café with mouse infestation

A Stockport dessert shop owner has been fined nearly £12,000 after a serious mouse infestation and filthy conditions were discovered by Stockport Council Environmental Health Officers.

At Tameside Magistrates’ Court on 9 May 2025, Mr Javid Shah, pleaded guilty to seven food hygiene offences at Dessert Lounge in Edgeley. He accepted full responsibility for the failings and informed the court that he is no longer involved in the food business.

During a routine food hygiene inspection, officers found mouse droppings throughout the premises – including on food packaging, plastic cups and food preparation surfaces. Officers also found that the standard of cleaning across the premises was unsatisfactory. There was no effective pest control in place, and the food safety management system was not being implemented or maintained properly. Food handlers had not been adequately trained or supervised, and there was no accessible wash hand basin with hot and cold running water or hygienic hand-drying facilities.

Mr Shah was fined £3,500 and was ordered to pay £7,000 in costs, along with a £1,400 victim surcharge. Charges included failing to protect food and the premises from pest contamination, not keeping equipment and surfaces clean and disinfected, failing to ensure food packaging was not exposed to contamination, and not maintaining procedures based on HACCP principles.

Cllr Dan Oliver, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Public Protection, said:

“The appalling conditions found at Dessert Lounge represent a serious failure to protect public health. This kind of negligence is completely unacceptable, and we will continue to take strong enforcement action against any business that puts customers at risk. I’m pleased that improvements have now been made, but this prosecution sends a clear message that we will always prioritise the safety of residents and visitors when it comes to food hygiene.”