Mice in cinema lead to 'enhanced' cleaning

A cinema has implemented "enhanced cleaning protocols" after multiple people reported seeing rodents at a screening.

Multiple cinema-goers took to social media to say they had seen mice in Vue in Gunwarf Quays, Portsmouth, last week.

Candis Valvona said she was offered a refund by management after spotting two mice "free roaming" in the aisles.

But a pest controller based in Portsmouth said rodents in the city were not a new problem.

Valvona, who was visiting the complex with her friend last week, told BBC Radio Solent that they saw two "confident" mice near people's bags and food.

She described the incident as "absolutely filthy" and said they left after seeing the mice and went to a different cinema.

She added that she would not be returning "any time soon".

A spokesperson for Vue said: "Our Portsmouth team works regularly with its landlord partners and contractors to ensure that the venue adheres to our strict hygiene standards.

"We are continuing to work closely with all parties to ensure the comfort of our customers and will continue to monitor the situation each day and take any action required."

Pest controller James Shore told BBC Radio Solent that rodents in Portsmouth had been a problem for "so, so long".

"The problem with pest control is there's no word of mouth, you only really know it's a problem when it pops up in your living room unfortunately," he said.

"I've been to a lot of similar places with similar problems.

"It's been about for years - it's just about when it gets noticed.

"I've been to that particular complex and have done a hell of a lot of work there before."

He said rats were "more rare" in Portsmouth but added: "You can go into any property and find mice.

"Unfortunately with Portsmouth you're usually fighting a losing battle."

In 2025, trade body the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) said more than half of the pest control companies that are members have seen an increased number of rat callouts over the past five years.

Neil Gallagher, technical manager for The BCPA, said: "Portsmouth isn't unique in the situation it has.

"There's a lot of tourism, there's a lot of students there. You are very close to waterways as well.

"So these situations aren't necessarily unique to Portsmouth but I think it's usually how, when it comes to certain sites, you manage that at a community level."