An Espresso House café in central Stockholm was forced to close immediately following an unannounced inspection that revealed a bird invasion and extensive droppings in the premises. Authorities deemed the health risks to customers too great due to potential infections from the bird droppings. The café was sanitized and reopened after one day.
On October 8, 2025, food inspectors from Stockholm's environmental department conducted an unannounced inspection at the Espresso House café on Vasagatan in central Stockholm. The inspection followed a complaint about pests in the premises. On site, a large number of birds were found flying around among the guests, a bird's nest above a window, and birds eating food scraps on the tables. There was extensive bird droppings on sofas, chairs, tables, and stair railings.
According to Stockholm's environmental and health protection committee, staff were aware of the problem but had not addressed it sufficiently. A broken entrance door, which stuck when opened, had not been repaired despite being reported several months earlier. Cleaning routines had not been strengthened despite ongoing bird droppings. The committee states: “Bird droppings can contain infectious bacteria, viruses, and parasites such as salmonella and campylobacter, which can pose a risk to human health.” The deficiencies were so serious that the operation was ordered to close immediately: “The committee assesses that the risks to consumers are so great that the decision shall apply immediately.”
According to documents reviewed by news agency Siren, the premises were sanitized immediately after the ban, and the café was allowed to reopen after one day. No new inspection is planned at present. Espresso House's press chief Lovisa Ernestam writes in an email: “We have had a problem with a door, this has been fixed and the café has reopened. We were closed for one day.” She regrets the situation but does not respond to why the problem was not addressed earlier.