Fatboy Slim ordered to clean up his Hove beachfront cafe after shocking pictures show extent of mice infestation
Megastar Fatboy Slim is facing renewed calls to clean up his beach-front café after shocking new pictures showed the extent of its rodent infestation.
Megastar Fatboy Slim is facing renewed calls to clean up his beach-front café after shocking new pictures showed the extent of its rodent infestation.
The DJ was forced to close up shop for a much-needed deep clean after health inspectors found mouse droppings in several areas across the establishment
Now new images have revealed the filthy extent of the coastal eaterys infestation, with dozens rodent droppings seen on surfaces, while a mouse trap has also been set, with further droppings visible nearby.
Meanwhile other pictures show tired chopping boards and a probe which proves food was being stored at almost double the correct temperature.
The images were obtained by a Freedom of Information request after the Big Beach Cafe in Hove, East Sussex, was slapped with a hygiene rating of just one last month.
Fatboy Slim (pictured) is facing fresh calls to clean up his rodent-infested Hove beach cafe
New images have revealed the filthy extent of the coastal eaterys infestation, with dozens mice droppings seen on surfaces
A mouse trap was also pictured by council officials (left), while other pictures showed tired-looking chopping boards being used by staff at the site
Fatboy Slims Hove cafe - The Big Beach Cafe - was forced to close after a rodent infestation
The DJ - real name Norman Cook - has owned the lease of the café in his native Hove, East Sussex, since he bought it from Sir Paul McCartneys ex Heather Mills in 2013.
But it was awarded a shocking hygiene rating of just one out of five last month when council officials discovered rodent droppings in all food preparation areas.
Brighton and Hove City Council said it would conduct follow-up visits to make sure the issue has been sorted.
Its health and safety officials left the cafe with pest guidance and told them to make enhanced checks following the visit on September 5.
A report says: Mouse droppings noted throughout all food areas of the business, presenting an imminent risk to food safety.
As discussed, deep clean all areas and remove droppings and follow sheet what to do in the event of a pest issue noted.
You have agreed to voluntarily close to be able to do this. I will carry out a check later on this evening to see if imminent risk has been removed to permit re-opening.
And the inspector added: You are required to have adequate procedures in place to prevent pests and ensure food is protected from contamination.
The DJ - real name Norman Cook - has owned the lease of the café since he bought it from Sir Paul McCartney s ex Heather Mills in 2013. He is pictured, right, inside the eatery
Fatboy Slims cafe was shut for a clean after mouse droppings were found in all areas by health bosses. Pictured: Fatboy Slim set off on a 26 mile walk to visit all the giant snail sculptures around Brighton and Hove in one day helping to raise money for the Martlets Hospice
The humiliating report also highlighted other issues including food being kept at 15C, when it should have been at 8C or below, lettuce not being washed before use as well as worn chopping boards and a chef not wearing a full apron.
The Big Beach Cafe lies on Hove Lagoon and Norman often helps out in the kitchen.
He was seen in June wearing a pinny and tasting dishes in pictures shared to the cafes Instagram page.
Its website also has pics of him DJing to crowds outside as well as with co-owner Dan Stockland.
It is not known whether he still co-owns the business.
When asked in February 2022 whether he thought Normans name had helped the cafe, he replied: It has been important but its a double-edged sword.
Some people are expecting a big flash restaurant owned by Fatboy Slim and really were just a bucket and spade café.
But with Normans profile theres a lot of goodwill there.
Theres an idea that hes giving something back to the community that nourished him.
Its lovely to know that youre a part of a community.
Normans kids will probably come and work for me one day. We have a lot of young kids having their first taste of work with us too.
The local council confirmed they will be returning to the cafe to ensure the issues were fixed
A spokesperson for Brighton and Hove City Council said: We would not comment on specific cases, but in any instances where we consider there to be serious contraventions of hygiene requirements or an imminent risk to customers health, we would work with the business to ensure any risk is promptly removed and necessary improvements are made quickly.
Follow-up visits would be conducted and, depending on our findings, all formal enforcement options considered.
The café was contacted twice for comment but has not responded.
However, a manager told local paper the Argus that it was taking serious steps to improve things.
They are due to shut again for one day next month to allow experts to improve the state of the building long term.
Peter Webb, one of the managers, told The Argus that the café had been taking the issue very seriously.
He added: Its a shock that it happened but we have tackled it.
We discovered the problem was in the roof but all the procedures have now dramatically improved.
We have taken this really seriously. Were in a much better place now.
MailOnline has approached Fatboy Slim for comment.
