SOUTHEND Council temporarily closed down a catering business to protect public health.

Environmental Health Officers forced the emergency closure of an unregistered catering business that was at risk of spreading dangerous bacteria because it had no hot running water.

The officers carried out an unannounced visit to CLD Essex Limited at 741 London Road, Westcliff, on October 4, having received reports from neighbours that the premises were being used as an unregistered food business.

When they arrived, officers found the premises to be lacking hot water, hand-washing facilities and having inadequate facilities for cleaning and disinfecting work tools and equipment.

On Friday, Southend magistrates issued a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order and CLD Essex Ltd was ordered to pay £650 costs. The business owner subsequently surrendered all food at the premises and paid for it to be destroyed.

Over the weekend, the business has carried out substantial improvements to its premises, including the installation of a running hot water supply and hand basins. Disinfectant was also bought.

The property was re-inspected by officers on Monday and allowed to re-open. The business will now be registered and subject to a regular regime of inspections.

Tony Cox, councillor responsible for public protection, waste and regulatory services, said: “Food hygiene standards are there for a very good reason – they protect the public from serious and entirely avoidable harm. That’s why I welcome this enforcement action by our officers.

“The lack of hot water at the premises meant that staff couldn’t effectively wash food equipment or their hands, so bacteria from handling raw meat or going to the toilet could have contaminated other foods, such as breads, cheese cakes and sauces that were also being prepared.”