Southsea mouse-infested store forced to close
A convenience store in Southsea with 'one of the worst mouse infestations' ever has been forced to close
A Southsea convenience store's been forced to close after an environmental team said it had 'one of the worst mouse infestations' ever.
Premier Express Nice 'n' Fresh, on Victoria Road North was served a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition notice on Tuesday 10th February 2026 after a complaint from a member of the public.
A council officer says there was clear evidence of a widespread mouse infestation, with droppings visible on shelves next to food items and several packets of gnawed crisps.
Cllr Lee Hunt, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Leisure and Sport, said: "The environmental health officer who visited described this as one of the worst infestations they have ever seen in a retail business.
"Mice can spread diseases such as Salmonella and Campylobacter through their droppings and urine, so when they come into contact with open food or contaminate the outside of packets like in this case, there is an imminent risk of illness to people's health.
"We want to work with businesses to resolve any issues before they get to this dangerous state and have to be closed, and thankfully the vast majority of the city's traders operate good hygiene practices."
The business was closed down immediately, and on Thursday 12 February a district judge granted a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court along with full costs.
This order prohibits Pinal and Mehul Ltd, the food business operator, from trading from the premises until the infestation is resolved.