Multiple Joe and the Juice bars closed in quick succession after mouse infestations found in the latest round of council enforcement

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Two locations of Joe and the Juice have been fined £40,000 each after serious breaches of food safety and hygiene regulations after mice infestations were found. Fines, costs victim surcharges totalling £95,900 were handed down at Westminster Magistrates Court on the 22^nd January 2025.

The popular juice and coffee bar on Garrick Street was shut by Westminster City Council due to a widespread mouse infestation being discovered in June 2023. Upon inspection the premises, mouse droppings were found in boxes of bread used for their much-loved sandwiches. As the inspection continued environmental health officers found evidence of the rodent droppings on napkins intended for customers.  

This presented a clear danger to consumers given mice can carry diseases such as Leptospirosis and food poisoning bacteria such as Campylobacter and Salmonella transmitted through their saliva, droppings and urine.

Additionally, an inspection of Joe and The Juice on Davies Street in December 2023 by the local authority’s environmental health team revealed equally poor standards of hygiene and cleanliness. Upon inspection, officers found bread stored on trays had been gnawed by mice, as well as droppings in storage and front of house serving areas. They also found food crumbs below shelving likely to encourage the infestation.

Both cases were serious enough to be served Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notices which temporarily closed both locations with the two branches pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to two offences under food hygiene regulations.

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Cllr Aicha Less, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Public Protection said:

Customers should have peace of mind that the kitchen and cafes they enjoy have the highest standards of hygiene and cleanliness. However, the details of these cases are truly shocking and fall well below the standards we expect of food businesses in Westminster. 

“The severity of these fines demonstrates how seriously we take food hygiene, and residents and visitors can be reassured that the council will take meaningful action to keep them safe.

"We continue to work closely with all food and hospitality businesses to make sure the very highest standards of cleanliness are maintained."