City's Chinese takeaway shuts over safety concerns

Mr Li's Chinese Takeaway was given a food hygiene rating of one out of five by Cumberland Council

A city's takeaway was asked to close after it was found not to have hot water for hand washing and cleaning as well as a raft of other safety concerns.

Mr Li's Chinese Takeaway, on London Road in Carlisle, was inspected by Cumberland Council's environmental health officers in July, and given a food hygiene rating of one out of five.

A report, obtained by the BBC through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, showed inspectors found insufficient power for all the fridges and freezers, insufficient light for "safe preparation of food or thorough cleaning" and inadequate ventilation.

The takeaway has been contacted for comment.

The food hygiene report warned the manager that running hot water "must be available at all sinks and hand washing basins".

It also said it had been voluntarily close until issues were rectified.

"The premises is being monitored by officers, is subject to further inspection and remains closed on a voluntary basis," a spokesman said.

Serious risks identified

Inspectors said they found 16 electrical appliances connected through extensions to a single socket in the upstairs flat, which officers said posed a "serious risk of causing a fire".

This also meant fridges and freezers could not be on at the same time, running the risk that food was not being kept at the appropriate temperature and "unsafe to eat", the report said.

It added that the manager needed to take "suitable food hygiene training" - an issue flagged at an inspection a year earlier.

The council confirmed no other premises inspected recently and given the same food hygiene rating, were asked to close.

A spokesman said the authority inspected a range of premises and that visits could be scheduled or unannounced.

Those handling raw meat were monitored more often, he added.

"Our inspection regime protects public health, prevents foodborne illness and drives up standards across the industry.

"Guided by our Food and Feed Enforcement Policy, we use a proportionate approach - from advice and education to formal notices and legal action - to protect the public and uphold standards across the food sector," the spokesman said.