A Chinese takeaway owner has been banned from running a food business for 4 years after an inspection found it was infested with rodents.

Wei Tai Zheng, who runs New Lorens on Rice Lane in L9, has been hit with a total bill of £4,320 – a fine of £2,520 plus costs of £1,800 - after pleading guilty at Liverpool Magistrates Court on:- 24 July 2025 to 9 breaches of food safety and hygiene regulations.

The court heard that when Environmental Health Officers from Liverpool City Council visited on:- 29 February 2024, they found the premises infested with mice and rats, including droppings on and under equipment, on lids containing foodstuffs. A dead mouse was also found on a glue board in the main kitchen.

A lack of regular and effective cleaning of surfaces under equipment resulted in a build-up of food debris and grease which provided pests with a readily available food source. There were a number of gaps and holes in the premises which provided rodents with access points into the premises.

The conditions were so unhygienic that the shop was immediately shut down because they presented an imminent risk to health, and it was given a zero star rating.

During the closure period, a total of 9 mice were caught, which confirmed there was a high level of rodent activity in the premises. After remedial works were carried out, a reinspection took place on:- 27 March 2024 and the council agreed it could reopen.

A further inspection on:- 29 August 2024 noted mouse droppings throughout the premises, including under and behind equipment for the 2nd time, including on floor surfaces where uncovered foods were stored, and a lack of regular and effective cleaning of surfaces.

Food products in chilled storage in the premises were past the manufacturers ‘use-by’ date, including packets of raw steak and bacon rashers.

The shop was immediately shut down again and during the closure period 3 mice were found.

After the premises carried out remedial works, the council revisited on:- 26 September 2024 and agreed that the takeaway could reopen.

However, the most recent inspection, in:- March 2025, awarded another zero star rating.

Following the conviction, the court also granted a hygiene prohibition order banning Mr Wei Tai Zheng from managing any food business for a period of 4 years.

District Judge Timothy Boswell commented that when people order food they expect it to taste nice and to be prepared in clean and healthy conditions, noting that the standards fell far below those expected, and were “disgusting”. 

Cabinet Member for Environmental Health, Councillor Laura Robertson-Collins, said:- “This case highlights the importance of our environmental health officers and their work carrying out inspections. Poor food hygiene can cause serious illness and is a real risk to public health, so I welcome the decision of the court in banning the owner and handing out a significant fine."

Liverpool City Council’s Environmental Health service operates the national Food Hygiene Rating Scheme. You can check the food hygiene rating of most food businesses in Liverpool by visiting this website.