A Pembrokeshire chippy has been forced to close until there is no longer a risk to health at the premises.

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water disconnected the mains water supply at Argosy Fish and Chips Cafe, Saundersfoot on Friday, September 6.

After being informed that the water was disconnected, an environmental health officer from Pembrokeshire County Council went to the café to issue a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice.

The fact that the chip shop no longer has water becomes a hygiene issue and the notice stops the establishment trading without water.

“This was due to the risk of contamination of food and the risks to customers’ health arising from not being able to effectively clean the premises, and the persons working there not being able to hygienically wash their hands during food preparation and after handling refuse, or using the toilet,” said a spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council.

The notice does not have a long term effect and, when premises are closed in this way, the local authority is required to ask the magistrates court to make a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order.

Pembrokeshire County Council duly applied for the order and this was heard at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on September 12. 

“The magistrates heard the circumstances of the case, in the presence of the food business operator, Mr Mustafa Baksi, and a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order was made,” said the council spokesperson.

The order means that Argosy Fish and Chips Café will remain closed until the imminent risk to public health is removed.

Mr Baksi was also required to pay £473 towards the Local Authority costs.

Pembrokeshire County Council said that it will monitor the position until the business has taken action to ‘remove the risk to health at the premises’.