Environmental health officers visited Shake & Burger, 42 Copnor Road, Portsmouth, PO3 5AH, on 14 July 2026 where they found evidence of an active mouse infestation.
Mouse droppings were discovered throughout the kitchen in several food prep and storage areas, including next to a chopping board, alongside sauce bottles, and around an ice cream machine – the latter of which had previously been prohibited from use because of mouse activity.
Officers also identified what they described as ‘serious hygiene concerns’, including a lack of soap at the wash hand basin, no sanitiser spray available for cleaning food preparation surfaces, and ‘significant accumulations’ of grease and food debris around the fryer area.
The business was immediately closed under a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice.
Two days later, on 16 July, Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court granted a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order, agreeing that there was an imminent risk of injury to health and mandating that the premises remain closed until the health risk has been removed.
“Food businesses have a legal responsibility to maintain high standards of food hygiene and protect their customers from harm. The conditions found at this premises presented a serious risk to public health and officers acted swiftly to ensure that risk was removed,” said councillor Lee Hunt, cabinet member for community safety, leisure & Sport.
“I’d like to thank our environmental health officers for their professionalism, expertise and prompt action in identifying these issues and taking the necessary enforcement action to protect residents and visitors.
“We will not hesitate to take robust enforcement action where standards fall so far below what is acceptable. Our priority will always be protecting the public and ensuring that food businesses in Portsmouth operate safely and responsibly.”
The business will remain closed until council officers are satisfied that the health risks have been fully addressed and the premises can operate safely.
