Mayfair restaurant charged with three hygiene offences worth over £15,000

Mediterranean restaurant Chucs in London’s Mayfair has been charged over £15,000 after mouse droppings were found in its cheese grater and in paper used to wrap food.

The owner of the restaurant was charged with three food hygiene offences by Westminster Magistrates court on 12 June, with penalties totalling £15,564.

It comes after environmental health officers for Westminster City Council discovered poor standards of hygiene during a routine inspection at the flagship Chucs in 7 October 2022.

During a revisit in 23 November 2022 for a compliance check, officers found the situation had worsened despite requests for extensive improvements, with mouse droppings in areas where food is stored and prepared; grease and debris around cooking appliances; and a lack of handwashing facilities.

Further mouse droppings were discovered on paper used to wrap meals and inside a mechanical cheese grater.

Officers immediately issued a HEPN (Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice), which resulted in the closure of the restaurant.

After an application to reopen on 25 November 2022, and the approval of two clear pest control reports, Chucs was given permission to return to normal trading.

Chucs Mayfair on Dover Street opened in 2014 and was praised by the late food critic A A Gill as “a fantasy made real in miniature”.

Frances Martin, executive director for Environment and Communities at Westminster City Council, said: “This result demonstrates the important work of our food safety officers, and the importance of their work to protect human health.

“It is essential for customers to have peace of mind when dining out in the city. We will continue to support all businesses to ensure they maintain high standards of cleanliness and safety but will not hesitate to take action when poor standards put others at risk.”

Chucs restaurants and cafés are a sister concept to the fashion label of the same name, with locations in London’s Mayfair, Belgravia, Kensington and Chelsea.