PEST control experts have been called into one of Scotland’s most luxurious department stores – after mice were spotted scurrying along the shop corridors.
One disgusted employee at Jenners, on Princes Street in Edinburgh, claimed workers were left “screaming” in the corridors after the nuisance vermin were seen running throughout the 174-year-old store.
Environmental officers from Edinburgh Council visited Jenners yesterday (Wed) after receiving a health and safety complaint.
Jenners is more than 150-years-old.
One member of staff, who asked not to be named, said: “I saw four mice running about the staff canteen one lunch time.
“I have got to eat my lunch off the tables, it’s just unacceptable. People shouldn’t have to work in conditions like this.
“You come out of the lifts and they run along the corridor at any time of the day.
“It’s mostly floor five around the corridors and staff canteen area, but there’s nothing to stop them getting on to the shop floor.
“I’m not sure if the customers have seen them but I don’t think the canteen should be allowed to be open while things like that are running about.”
He added: “I don’t know what’s worse – the mice or the female staff screaming every time they run past. Something needs to be done, it’s disgusting.”
A spokeswomen for Jenners, said a pest control company would be informed of the problem following a complaint.
She said: “We have been made aware that there has been one complaint regarding the sighting of a mouse on our Jenners store in Edinburgh.
“House of Fraser would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused. We employ a pest control company, Ecolab, who come in on a weekly basis to maintain a pleasant shopping environment for our customers, and mouse sightings are a rare occurrence. We will make them aware of the recent incident.”
Pride
Jenners has had pride of place on Princes Street since it was opened in 1838. It was sold to House of Fraser in 2005 and sells everything from international designer brands to locally-sourced Scottish products.
A spokesman from Edinburgh City Council confirmed they had received a complaint and environmental health officers had visited Jenners yesterday.
He said: “Following a complaint, environmental health officers carried out a visit and appropriate pest control advice has been given.
“The company are taking steps to manage the situation and a follow-up inspection will be carried out in the near future.”
