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Rats, mould and open drains shut Chinese restaurant

Stuart RustSouth of England
News imageGoogle The front of the Chinese restaurant Red Star in Cowley Road. It's daytime and a man is walking past the restaurant while speaking into his phone. The restaurant's sign includes Chinese letters and a red star symbol. Google
Health officers found rat droppings and gnawed packaging during an inspection of Red Star in Oxford's Cowley Road

A Chinese restaurant was ordered to close after inspectors found evidence of a "serious rat infestation".

Oxford City Council's environmental health officers discovered droppings and gnawed food packaging during an inspection of Red Star in Cowley Road.

They also found extensive mould in parts of the premises and open packets of rat poison hanging over cooking oil drums in plastic bags.

The restaurant was issued a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order (HEPO), forcing it to cease trading until the issues are addressed.

News imageOxford City Council A close up shot of the underside of a metallic shelf in a typical-looking small restaurant kitchen. Mould, appearing in a spread of dark blots, can be seen across the bottom of the shelf. Nearby there are bottled sauces and pans. Oxford City Council
Extensive mould was found in food preparation areas in the restaurant

The council said inspectors found multiple issues that "posed an imminent risk to public health".

Open and mouldy spices were found in a food storage room, cleaning chemicals were stored with food, and an "unacceptable standard of cleanliness" was observed throughout.

There were also open drains with foul standing water in the food preparation area.

The HEPO was confirmed at High Wycombe Magistrates' Court on 27 January.

News imageOxford City Council A green packet of seaweed is held in someone's hand. The corner of the packet has been gnawed open. Teeth marks can be seen across one frayed edge. In the background, another similar-looking packet of seaweed had been opened at the corner in the same way. Oxford City Council
Packets of seaweed that had been gnawed by rats were found in the restaurant

It is one of the "strongest enforcement powers" available to local authorities and is only used where "there is a serious and immediate threat to consumer safety", said the council.

In November 2025, the restaurant was fined £4,700 and had its food hygiene rating downgraded to zero after breaching rules around waste management.

The council said it will continue to work with the owner of the business as efforts are made to comply with food hygiene legislation.

News imageOxford City Council A white plastic bag is hanging from something out of shot. A hand is pulling a black package out of the bag. The package is open, with a split through its centre, and reads "rat and mouse killer" in white letters. Oxford City Council
Inspectors found open packets of rat poison hanging over cooking oil drums in plastic bags

Councillor Lubna Arshad, cabinet member for a safer Oxford, said: "This action demonstrates our commitment to protecting residents, visitors, and the wider community.

"We will not hesitate to take robust enforcement action where food safety standards fall significantly below what the public has a right to expect.

"The vast majority of food businesses in our area operate responsibly and maintain good hygiene standards. Enforcement action such as this is about raising standards across the sector and ensuring a level playing field for compliant businesses."

Red Star has been approached for comment.

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