U.K. langar closed over mice infestation, mess

Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice has been issued.

One of the two kitchens at a Gurdwara in the United Kingdom has been closed by the health officers after it was found to be infested with mice.

Environment Health Officers from Birmingham City Council have closed one of the two kitchens at the Singh Sabha Gurdwara in Handsworth Wood, after an inspection on January 22.

Kitchen was a mess

A Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice has been issued and the premises were partly closed after the officers found “an active infestation of mice and a lack of effective cleaning,” Birmingham Mailreported.

The gurdwara on Somerset Road provides daily meals for the local community, a common practice in Sikh temples all over the world.

Imminent risk to public health

“Environmental health officers visited Singh Sabha Gurdwara, at 80 Somerset Road, Handsworth Wood, on Friday and found there was an imminent risk to public health present in one of the two available kitchens and a stock room,” a Birmingham City Council spokesperson said.

As a result the affected parts of the premises were formally closed.

“The closure was ratified and a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order granted at Birmingham Magistrates Court on January 26 to extend the closure,” spokesperson added.