THE boss of a rodent-ridden Redditch food store has been fined thousands of pounds after inspectors found mouse droppings on the floor beside display fridges.

The Corner Shop, Beoley Road West, was closed down after inspectors found numerous hygiene violations in 2015.

On Monday, January 23 company director, Ewelina Maria Chelpa, of Whitchurch Road, Shrewsbury, and the company Sygnity Limited were fined £4,736.

Ms Chelpa pleaded guilty to all four food and hygiene offences at the Redditch store, including failing to have in place adequate procedures to control pests.

The case follows an inspection at the store, which was also known as the Polish Shop, by Worcestershire Regulatory Services’ environmental health team on June 2015, where they spotted a number of food hygiene violations including a lack of hand washing facilities, poor stock control and inadequate staff training.

The premises had also failed to register as a food business.

Although inspectors made it clear that improvements were required a follow up visit in September 2015 revealed further food safety violations including fresh and dried mouse droppings on the floor throughout the store.

A Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice which immediately closed the shop to the public was obtained and a formal order was made by the court shortly afterwards.

On Monday, January 23 Redditch Magistrates' Court fined both the company and 31-year-old Ms Chelpa for offences under the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013.

Ms Chelpa and the company were fined £400 for each offence, costs totalling £1,457 and a victim surcharge of £40.

A spokesman for Worcestershire Regulatory Services, said: "Our normal process – apart from in extreme cases – is to help businesses help themselves before it is necessary to take court action. Our main concern will always be for the health, wellbeing and safety of the general public."