'Rat infestation' closes an East London Morrisons

Luke Donnelly
·1-min read
File photo dated 19/06/20 of Morrisons Supermarket signage, as the supermarket group has agreed a £331 million property deal as part of efforts to slash its significant debt pile. Issue date: Thursday September 26, 2024.
-Credit: (Image: 2024 PA Media, All Rights Reserved)


An East London supermarket has been forced to shut due to an alleged rat infestation. Morrisons in Chingford has been served a hygiene emergency prohibition notice by Waltham Forest Council leading to the closure.

A document, seen by MyLondon, which appears to be from the council's food and safety team has been stuck on the front door of the supermarket on Chingford Road. It says there is an "active rat and mice infestation". It adds the supermarket also has "very poor standards of cleaning", along with "leaking foul water".

Waltham Forest Council has confirmed a court case "is due imminently" following the closure. It is currently unclear when the supermarket is likely to re-open.

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Morrisons in Chingford has been temporarily closed
Morrisons in Chingford has been temporarily closed -Credit:Google

Cllr Khevyn Limbajee, Cabinet Member for Community Safety at Waltham Forest Council, said: “Under food hygiene regulations the council has served a hygiene emergency prohibition notice to temporarily close the Morrisons store in Chingford. A court hearing is due imminently. We are unable to comment further at this time.”

Morrisons has confirmed pest control is now on site at the supermarket in Chingford Road to deal with the rat and mice infestation. A spokesperson said: "Following a visit from the local council, our Chingford store has been closed. We have Rentokil on site now to investigate the reported pest issue and hopefully we'll have the store open again very soon."

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