Hanwell pub hit with £52,000 fine after mouse infestation discovery
Mouse droppings scattered across kitchen counters and gnawed food packaging in the basement were just some of the findings that led to a £52,363 court order against the owners of a Hanwell pub. Redcat Retail Pubs Ltd, the company behind The Grosvenor in Oaklands Road, appeared at Ealing Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 22 April 2026, to face the consequences of repeated food safety failures.
Evidence of infestation at Oaklands Road venue
The severity of the infestation posed a direct threat to public health. Rodents are known vectors for harmful bacteria, including Salmonella and Listeria, which can easily contaminate food preparation areas. In Hanwell, the discovery of droppings on surfaces used to prepare meals for the public triggered an immediate emergency response from Ealing Council officers.
During an unannounced inspection on 1 February 2024—prompted by a food poisoning complaint—inspectors found widespread evidence of pests. Mice had access to the kitchen and basement, leaving droppings on food preparation surfaces, equipment, shelving, and the floor. Perhaps most concerning was the discovery of ready-to-eat food packets that had been gnawed and contaminated by the rodents.
Because of the immediate risk to customers, the pub was served with a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice and ordered to close its doors instantly. This case mirrors other recent enforcement actions in the borough, such as when a Hayes takeaway faced heavy fines for failing to manage similar pest risks and cleanliness standards.
Financial penalties at Ealing Magistrates’ Court
The legal proceedings concluded with a significant financial penalty for Redcat Retail Pubs Ltd. The company pleaded guilty to three separate offences linked to poor pest control and a failure to comply with a legal notice served by the local authority.
Ealing Magistrates’ Court ordered the company to pay a fine of £37,000. In addition to the base fine, the court imposed a £2,000 victim surcharge and required the payment of £13,362 in legal costs. The total bill of £52,363 serves as a warning to other operators about the high cost of neglecting basic hygiene duties.
Timeline of inspections and failed compliance
While the pub was allowed to reopen on 14 February 2024 following initial remedial work, the underlying issues were not fully resolved. When food safety officers returned for another unannounced check in July 2024, they again found evidence of mice in the basement. The business was subsequently issued a food hygiene rating of 2, indicating that “improvement was necessary.”
A formal Hygiene Improvement Notice was served, giving the company until 22 August 2024 to implement robust pest control measures. However, a follow-up visit on 27 August 2024 revealed that mouse droppings were still present. The company’s failure to comply with this legal notice formed a core part of the prosecution case.
Current status and public safety measures
The Grosvenor remains open for business today, though its operations have changed significantly since the 2024 inspections. The venue now only serves drinks and has ceased food service. A fresh inspection conducted in January 2026 resulted in a 4-star hygiene rating, suggesting that the management has finally brought the premises up to a good standard.
Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, Ealing Council’s cabinet member for decent living incomes, emphasized that rodent infestations in food businesses are completely unacceptable. The council maintains a policy of unannounced inspections across the borough to hold businesses accountable. Residents who have concerns about the hygiene standards of a local food business can contact the food safety team directly via email at [email protected].
Source: Ealing Council
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