Lotus Palace on Stockton Road in Hartlepool was told improvements were necessary before it closed
Lotus Palace on Stockton Road has now closed(Image: Google Maps)
A Chinese takeaway was handed a two-star hygiene rating after inspectors found mould and issues with food storage at the premises. Lotus Palace, on Stockton Road in Hartlepool, was inspected in October and a subsequent report stated improvements were needed with food hygiene procedures.
The report from a senior environmental health officer at Hartlepool Council said a number of high risk food items prepared in advance, including cooked chicken and beef, were being stored at ambient temperatures ahead of being served that night.
The report said: “Although these items had been refrigerated previously, as discussed you must ensure that these food items are only held at ambient temperature for a minimum amount of time whilst awaiting cooking as these food items are high risk and will support the growth of food poisoning bacteria. High risk food items must be kept at or below 8C.”
The inspector also said a number of items of equipment and the structure of the premises had deteriorated to an extent “which could contaminate food”. These included food containers which were damaged.
Cardboard was used on the floor, against the walls and on shelves, while “flaking paint and mould spots” were noted on the ceiling at the rear of the premises. The floor and skirting boards at the rear of the premises were also found in a “dirty” condition, “especially behind or below equipment”.
The business was urged to investigate the case of the mould and address the concerns raised. The inspector said they intended to revisit the takeaway within six weeks of the report.
However the takeaway reportedly closed several weeks ago and Hartlepool Council has confirmed the business has now ceased trading.
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