Grim images show inside Stockport convenience store that was infested by mice
By Ed Barnes - Local Democracy Reporter 6th Jul 2026
Grim photos show the appalling conditions found inside a Stockport shop that was infested with mice.
Despite happening two years ago, the conditions have just landed the shop's boss a £15,000 fine.
Gurinder Singh Sandhu, owner of Gary's Convenience Store on Castle Street, Edgeley, has pleaded guilty to five food hygiene offences following inspections carried out by Stockport Council in November 2024. This is following a prosecution carried out by Stockport Council.
The local authority said Mr Sandhu was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on June 5 after pleading guilty to five offences. The evidence of mice was found in November 2024 but the shop recently received a food hygiene rating of four, the second highest.
In 2024, Stockport Council said environmental health officers 'visited the premises and found extensive evidence of a severe mouse infestation throughout the store, including droppings in food storage and display areas, gnawed food packaging and a strong odour associated with infestation'.
The local authority said the 'food on sale was found to be at serious risk of contamination', adding: "Officers also identified a lack of hot running water, inadequate cleaning and sanitising arrangements, and no pest control contract in place."
At the time, the business agreed to voluntarily close and was given a hygiene rating of zero 'indicating that urgent improvement was necessary'.
A spokesperson for the council added: "Subsequent visits found continued evidence of mouse activity, and a second voluntary closure was agreed while extensive remedial works were carried out.
"More than 700 food products were removed and destroyed as part of the investigation to protect consumers from potentially contaminated goods.
"The operation required significant work by 13 council officers, who oversaw the identification, removal and disposal of food products from the premises.
"Reopening was approved on 6 December 2024 after officers were satisfied that the infestation was under control, the premises had been thoroughly cleaned, and food was no longer at risk of contamination."
On June 5 2026, the court imposed fines totalling £750, ordered Mr Sandhu to pay prosecution costs of £14,000 and a victim surcharge of £300, bringing the total financial penalty to £15,050.
Councillor Dan Oliver, the cabinet member overseeing the environmental health service, at Stockport Council, said: "The conditions identified were completely unacceptable and posed a significant risk to public health.
"Residents have a right to feel confident in the safety of the food they purchase, and we will continue to take decisive action against those who fail to meet their responsibilities and put the public at risk."
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