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'Filthy' restaurant fined £18,000
Mouse dropping were found on serving plates
An Edinburgh restaurant has been fined an unprecedented £18,000 after mouse droppings were found on dishes.
An environmental health team found "filthy" conditions in the kitchen at The Rainbow Arch earlier this year.
A cellar floor was covered in wet mouldy cardboard and the inspection found "a foul black substance resembling sewage debris".
Henry Tse pleaded guilty to nine charges at the Morrison Street premises on Friday at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
Edinburgh City Council inspectors also found an area used to cool food was close to a courtyard infested with pigeons and a drain that had overflowed.
This case demonstrates that we will not hesitate to use our powers to protect the public and to take action where it is warranted
Councillor Sheila Gilmore
Edinburgh Council
A rice steamer was described as "filthy", knives were dirty, and food serving bowls were contaminated with mouse droppings.
An Edinburgh sheriff fined the firm £2,000 for each offence.
The restaurant was closed for 24 hours following the visit by inspectors on 28 April.
A return visit on 5 October again found problems with cleanliness and staff hygiene and the premises were shut down for a second time, this time for a week.
The restaurant had previously been praised by TV chef Clarissa Dickson Wright, who described it as her favourite Chinese restaurant in Edinburgh in a newspaper column.
When informed of the hygiene inspectors reports by BBC Scotland, Ms Dickson Wright declined to comment.
The Rainbow Arch may face further criminal charges relating to the second visit, Edinburgh City Council said.
Councillor Sheila Gilmore, Edinburgh Council community safety leader, said: "This case demonstrates that we will not hesitate to use our powers to protect the public and to take action where it is warranted.
"We are grateful that the sheriff reflected the severity of the offence with the fine imposed.
"We are glad to say that the majority of food businesses in the city adhere to the required food hygiene standards."
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