AN inspector found dangerous indoor gas cylinders and unlabelled sheep’s parts after complaints about a mini-market in Evesham.
The food business at 47A Bridge Street received zero out of a possible five stars for food hygiene following the inspection, when rats were sighted on the premises.
The inspector reported overgrown vegetation and “rats seen” in the back yard, and noted that the area was “over-run with rubbish”, including packaging and food waste.
Evesham Food Store was also found to be using ‘unrestrained’ LPG propane cylinders and a double burner portable gas stove designed for outdoor use only inside the premises.
Wychavon District Council has since told the Worcester News that the premises has since complied with all of the improvement notices it was issued with after the inspection on June 4, 2026.
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The inspection report states: “Scheduled inspection combined with complaint alleging ‘foul smell of rotting meat, sightings of rats, leaks and water damage.’
“Premises found to be in a very poor standard.”
The inspector from Worcestershire Regulatory Services also noted “rats seen in back yard” and the use of the LPG cylinders inside the premises, which is prohibited.
‘Risk of serious injury’
PROHIBITED: An archive image of an LPG cylinder which are not intended for indoor use (Image: Norasit Kaewsai, norgal.g@gmail.com)
A prohibition notice was then sent to the store stating: “The indoor storage and use of an unrestrained LPG propane cylinder and double burner portable gas stove designed for outdoor use only has made these appliances unsafe, with a risk of fire or explosion.”
A “risk of serious personal injury” was flagged in the document.
Two Hygiene Improvement Notices were also sent to the business, ordering it to remove debris “that may provide harbourage for rodents” and to provide continuous, uninterrupted hot running water to a sink and wash hand basin at a butcher counter.
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Store’s response
The business was told to carry out work in 12 areas, including unlabelled raw meat, pest-proofing and the “substantial” amount of food waste.
The letter states: “Fresh raw meats including sheep head and sheep and cow feet were found on the premises.
“These must be adequately labelled or identified to facilitate its traceability.”
Further points to follow up on were issued on a revisit on June 22, with the owners advised to employ a pest control contractor to “assess the site”.
The business was told by WRS, a county-wide watchdog body working on behalf of Wychavon District Council, that it is an offence not to comply with the improvement notices.
The 0-star rating remains live on the Food Standards Agency website as of August 5.
A spokesperson for Wychavon District Council said: “The issues identified by Worcestershire Regulatory Services were addressed within the timescales specified by officers.”
A member of staff at the store – where the Evesham Food Store sign has been painted over – said a new manager has taken over since the inspection.
