FIVE takeaways in Warrington were ordered to improve their food hygiene last year, while two premises were closed down and foodstuffs were seized from another.

Warrington Borough Council handed out food hygiene notices to Lucky House in Penketh, Smiths Fish Bar in Bewsey, Italian Express in Stockton Heath, Kingsway Fish Bar in Paddington and Lotus Chinese in Orford in the 12 months up to April.

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Lotus Chinese, on Orford Lane, received a warning as it had no wash basin in a toilet and lacked documented food safety systems and hygiene training.

Warrington Guardian:

Lucky House, on Grange Drive, was also found to be lacking in food safety system documentation and hygiene training.

Smiths Fish Bar, on Longshaw Street, had no hot water due to a broken boiler.

Concerns were raised over external refuse containers at Italian Express, on London Road.

Kingsway Fish Bar, on Kingsway North, also lacked a documented food hygiene system.

Warrington Guardian:

All improvements ordered were completed in the timescales requested an no follow-up action was required.

Meanwhile, two premises were voluntarily closed due to food hygiene issues.

Kubus Polski Sklep, on Legh Street in the town centre, was shut due to poor conditions - including having no running water, a dirty toilet, defective lighting and a rat infestation.

Warrington Guardian:

A second premises that was shut down cannot be revealed as it is subject to an ongoing investigation.

Sweeney’s, a butchers on Warrington Market, used correct procedures to voluntarily surrender food from its premises in the old market due to a refrigerator breakdown which meant it could have been 'out of temperature', according to the council report.

The premises has since ceased trading when it moved to the new market last year.

Inspectors assessed a total of 2,010 business in the town during 2017/18, handing out 278 written warnings.

A council spokesman said: “It’s important that we all have access to a safe supply of food and that we can enjoy a meal out with family and friends.

“We work with responsible businesses to achieve high standards of compliance and food safety but we will not hesitate to take action to protect the public.”

All premises that remain open have been contacted by the Warrington Guardian for comment, but none responded.