Wedding hall shuts 'thanks to one mouse'

BUSINESS GIVEN ZERO RATING FOR FOOD HYGIENE

- By EDWARD BARNES

MOUSE droppings were found throughout the kitchen of a “timeless” Wirral wedding venue as grim photos revealed the true extent of the problem.

The Masonic Hall in Wallasey was built in 1911 with a choice of different function suites. According to the wedding planning website Hitched, “Wallasey Masonic Hall is a timeless space for a ceremony and wedding reception.”

However, the hall was slammed in its latest food hygiene inspection by Wirral Council, which saw the venue given the lowest possible rating of zero.

Inspectors on March 26 said urgent improvement was necessary, and the business voluntarily closed.

The venue's secretary has told the ECHO they had acted immediately to address the issues, spending £80,000 on improvement works.

The latest food hygiene report, seen by the ECHO following a Freedom of Information request, said a voluntary prohibition notice had been served in March “closing the premises due to the discovery of widespread evidence of mouse activity throughout the premises”.

The business received the worst possible scores for food hygiene in all areas.

The report said droppings were found throughout the kitchen, rear prep room, and pan store, adding: “Mouse droppings were found on the floor behind and under equipment, fridges, freezers, workbenches, and fittings.