A MIDDLESBROUGH restaurant has reopened after it was shut in the wake of a mouse infestation.

Peri Peri Original in Linthorpe Road was shut down on Friday, February 3, after health officials found evidence of pests, which they said posed a "serious risk to food safety".

Middlesbrough Council's environmental health officers used emergency closure powers to shut the restaurant.

On Tuesday, Middlesbrough Council was granted a court order at Teesside Magistrates Court, meaning the restaurant had to remain shut until officers were satisfied there was no longer a serious health risk.

But environmental health have visited the restaurant again and found that a deep clean, and pest control, had been carried out, and it was safe enough to open.

Middlesbrough Council’s Head of Public Protection Judith Hedgley said: “The presence of mice in any food businesses is unacceptable.

“They can contaminate food with their faeces, urine and hair and spread disease-causing bacteria.

“In Middlesbrough, the vast majority of food businesses maintain very good standards of hygiene and achieve the top (5) food hygiene rating.

“Although the closure of a food business due to poor hygiene standards remains rare in Middlesbrough, we will always take immediate action to protect public health if we find such poor standards. “An investigation into the conditions found will now be carried out to determine if further enforcement action is to be taken.”

Councillor Julia Rostron, Middlesbrough Council’s executive member for adult health and social care, said: “The Council’s Environmental Health Officers visit around 700 food businesses every year to check on hygiene standards.

“After every visit they issue a food hygiene rating that is based on the standards of cleanliness and food safety practices found, as well as how confident Environmental Health Officers are in the management of the premises.

“It is very encouraging to know that the vast majority of food businesses in Middlesbrough achieve the top food hygiene ratings, and it is of great concern when poor standards are found and require enforcement action.

“When the officers visited this restaurant they took prompt action to address conditions that could have put the health of its customers at risk.”