Steven Gerrard-backed Vincent Cafe fined £20,000 after mouse found in kitchen
Liverpool's Vincent Cafe and Cocktail Bar, part owned by Liverpool and England footballer Steven Gerrard, has been fined £20,000 after inspectors found a mouse in the kitchen.
The bar admitted three breaches of food safety legislation at Liverpool Magistrates' Court.
The court was told that Environmental Health Officers from Liverpool City Council had discovered mouse droppings and general food debris in a number of areas, as well as spotting a live mouse, in December 2016.
Gaps and holes large enough for rodents to access the premises were also discovered around piping, despite regular checks having been carried out by a pest control expert.
Managers agreed to close the venue with immediate effect following the inspection, with officials allowing it to reopen five days later.
District Judge Wendy Lloyd acknowledged the regular checks but added that "as a matter of common sense" kitchen staff should have realised there was a problem, the BBC reported.
Gary Lewis, mitigating on the business' behalf, said it was in a "precarious financial position" and had never made a profit.
The Vincent Cafe and Cocktail Bar was also told to pay costs of £2,488 and a £130 victim surcharge.
The restaurant opened in 2015 with Gerrard as a silent partner.
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