A TAKEAWAY restaurant became infested with mice because of the disruption caused by controversial tram works, a court has heard.
A branch of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) in Edinburgh's Leith Walk started having vermin problems after work started on developing the new public transport network, it was claimed.
The city's sheriff court heard how staff at the franchise tried in vain to eliminate the pests from their premises.
The restaurant claimed to have lost business, and the company responsible for developing the trams handed the takeaway's operators £11,000 in compensation.
Environmental health inspectors carried out an inspection of the restaurant in June 2011.
They found that mice had contaminated areas close to where food had been prepared.
The inspectors even discovered mouse droppings close to where customers picked up straws for cold drinks.
The restaurant's operators – MBCC Food Ltd of Livingston, West Lothian – entered guilty pleas to two charges of contravening food safety laws. They were fined £4000.
Depute procurator-fiscal Anna Murphy told the court inspectors from Edinburgh City Council's Environmental Health Department paid the restaurant a visit on June 16, 2011.
The eaterie is no longer on the proposed tram route as budget overspends mean that it will now stop at St Andrew Square in the heart of the city.
However, work was carried out along Leith Walk as the tram was originally intended to reach Ocean Terminal in Leith.
Ms Murphy told the court inspectors found evidence mice had potentially contaminated food that was waiting to be prepared in the kitchen.
She said: "The manager of the Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant accompanied the inspectors around the store premises.
"The inspectors found several incidences of mice contamination throughout the shop.
"In the kitchen, they found mouse droppings and food sitting close by. The manager disposed of the products immediately."
Defence advocate Susan Duff said the restaurant started having problems with mice soon after work on building tram lines began in April 2008.
Ms Duff told the court that the construction work caused the restaurant's takings to fall by 40%.
The work also caused the mice population to seek new homes.
Staff tried to eliminate the vermin problem but had not been successful.
Ms Duff added: "It caused significant disruption.
"It caused disruption to the habitation of mice in the area. The mice being displaced were attracted towards the local shops. Trams in Edinburgh compensated MBCC Foods for £11,000.
"I must stress the food in the kitchen was fully wrapped in plastic and not in contact with the mice.
"MBCC is extremely concerned by these developments. They, as franchise holders, are focused on providing the highest quality of food to consumers."
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