Rampaging mice attack Tesco Covent Garden store

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Tesco’s Covent Garden outlet has been ordered to close after environmental health inspectors found a “serious mouse problem” in the store.

The inspectors found the store in “dirty conditions” and have called for the store to keep shut till pest control measures have been conducted throughout the store.

Onlookers posted pictures of the notice on the store window which said the store had shut because of “serious line infestation of mice throughout the premises, poor maintenance of routine cleaning and direct contamination of food items”.

A Tesco spokesman told the BBC: “We insist on the highest standards of hygiene in our stores and are extremely concerned by this incident, which we are confident was isolated.

“The Covent Garden store is temporarily closed and we are taking urgent steps to deal with the problem.

“We apologise to our customers for not meeting our own very high standards on this occasion.”

James Armitage, Westminster Council’s food health and safety manager said: “We treat the big retail companies with exactly the same approach as small high street traders – where public health is of concern, our action is swift and decisive.

“The council is working with the supermarket chain to establish a timetable for the work to take place.”