A Northumberland hotel has been forced to shut down by council order due to a rat infestation.
The Schooner Hotel and Spice Galleon on Northumberland Street in Alnmouth was served with a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice on Monday October 30 by Northumberland County Council.
The prohibition notice attached to the building declared that there is an active rodent infestation and risk of food contamination which is an imminent risk to public health.
Gordon Stewart, cabinet member for Looking after our Communities at Northumberland County Council, said: “Hygiene emergency prohibition notices are not served for minor breaches. Evidence was found of an active rat infestation within the premises which was potentially putting their customer’s health at serious risk.
“In the interests of food hygiene and public safety our Environmental Health officers issued a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice on the proprietor of The Schooner, closing the food service element of the premises including the kitchen and bar with immediate effect.