Cafe near Old Trafford fined more than £10,000 after rat infestation and allergen breach

Monday, 23 February 2026 16:28

By Adam Clark

A cafe close to Old Trafford has been fined more than £10,000 after environmental health officers found evidence of rats and uncovered a serious allergen failure during separate inspections.

Trafford Council prosecuted United Cafe on Sir Matt Busby Way in Old Trafford following visits in August and November 2024.

When officers inspected the premises in August, they found signs of rat activity in food preparation and storage areas. Potatoes had been gnawed, and there was further evidence of infestation within the building.

The business, operated by Cafe United Ltd, had failed to carry out accurate daily pest checks as required under Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point procedures. Records showed the site had been marked as pest-free despite an active infestation.

The cafe closed voluntarily for eight days to address the issues identified by officers.

However, during a further visit in November 2024, undercover officers conducting a sampling exercise to assess compliance with allergen legislation were served a burger containing gluten after declaring a gluten allergy.

United Cafe and its director, Sean Stokes, 56, of Bury New Road, Whitefield, appeared at Manchester Magistrates Court. Both pleaded guilty to offences under food safety legislation.

Cafe United Ltd was fined £8,000 and ordered to pay £1,000 in costs. Mr Stokes was fined £1,048 and required to pay a £419 surcharge.

Councillor Rose Thompson, Executive Member for Communities and Safety at Trafford Council, said, "Visitors and residents in Trafford have the right to expect good standards of hygiene, and reliable advice on ingredients, from any food outlet that trades in our borough.

"This prosecution shows that we will not hesitate to take action where standards fall short of what is acceptable. Thanks to our environmental health team for pursuing this case and bringing this business and its director to court. It is a clear warning that substantial fines can be issued to businesses that risk putting people’s health at risk."

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