A Nando's restaurant which claimed to have closed for “some DIY” was actually pest-proofing to help solve its “mouse activity” problem.

The fast food chain’s Maidstone venue temporarily shut in July while works took place.

It had claimed the premises were closed for “some minor works” with a listing on Google informing customers it was due to “do some DIY”.

However, it has since emerged the restaurant was slapped with a a two-star food hygiene rating just two months prior after “mouse activity” seen by staff and customers in the dining area on the first floor.

The popular Portuguese-style chicken chain was ordered to clean up its act after council officers found evidence of “rodent droppings”, as well as food debris and broken crockery on the floor.

Nando’s insists the hygiene of its restaurants is its “top priority” and it is working to regain its five-star rating.

It had otherwise been rated “good” for hygienic handling of food. including preparation, cooking, re-heating, cooling and storage. Management of food safety was also “generally satisfactory”.

Maidstone council released the hygiene report for the Earl Street eatery following a freedom of information request from the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

“There is current mouse activity at the premises that you were aware of at the time of my visit, it is noted you had the pest control contractor in to treat and investigate prior to my visit,” an inspector noted following a visit on May 24.

“Although various pest control measures had already been implemented and your pest contractor is carrying out treatment for rodents, mice are still being actively seen by staff and customers in the dining area on the first floor of the premises during service.

“Rodent droppings were found on the floor under the ‘co-ordination’ area and by the unused food lift hatch in the ground floor open plan kitchen during my visit.”

The inspector also found that a loose wall vent panel in the storage area gave access to one of many voids throughout the building.

It was ordered to refix the wall vent to “prevent access by pests”.

Meanwhile, inspectors also noted wire wool had been used to fill possible rodent access points throughout the premises including in the kitchen area.

“This could lead to physical contamination of food in the kitchen” they said.

They added that they “do not consider the measures in place to be adequate in terms of treatment and preventing access” to enterprising rodents.

Nandos were also told to ensure they clean harder to reach areas as part of their daily pest checks.

They told the council’s inspector they had been operating an “enhanced pest control protocol which includes extra cleaning and sanitising of all equipment,” surfaces and public seating areas.

Despite the concerns raised over the cleanliness and condition of the restaurant building and facilities, the eatery performed better for management of food safety and it was noted system and checks were in place to ensure food sold or served on the premises is safe to eat.

A spokesman for Nando’s said: “The hygiene of our restaurants is a top priority.

“We’re always looking at ways to improve our buildings, and regularly undertake refurbishment works, like we did in Maidstone earlier this year.

“We’re proud that 98% of our restaurants have a 5* Food Hygiene Rating and we’re committed to regaining our 5* rating here.”