Merry Hill store 'disappointed' after mouse droppings found and says it had 'fallen short'

The operator of a Black Country coffee shop says it has been left "disappointed" after mouse droppings were discovered inside its premises. Droppings were found at Soho Coffee's site in Merry Hill shopping centre, Dudley, in March 2023.

The store was temporarily closed after the droppings were discovered during an unannounced inspection by hygiene inspectors from Dudley Council. The store's operator later admitted three charges relating to the hygiene safety at Dudley Magistrates court.

They were fined £4,900 and were ordered to pay additional court costs. But the store now boasts a five-star hygiene rating following the incident.

READ MORE: Merry Hill cafe fined £4,900 over mouse droppings including in 'washing up area'

Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp, click the link to join

A spokesperson for Soho Coffee said: "SCSL is disappointed to have fallen short of the high standards it expects across all stores in this instance. Senior management immediately engaged with Dudley Council in this matter and have been highly cooperative with all parties.

"The Merry Hill store received a 5-star food hygiene rating at the inspection immediately after this incident. It has also received a further 5-star food hygiene rating earlier this year."