Birmingham cafe handed zero food hygiene rating goes up for sale

A Birmingham café that received a zero hygiene rating has gone on the market. Sutton Sweet Centre in Hill Village Road was given the rating, meaning ‘urgent improvement’ was necessary, following an inspection on July 23.

The owner attributed the poor score to their being abroad and said improvements were under way ahead of another visit. Concerns were raised across several areas, with the most critical finding being that 'staff showed a complete lack of understanding of the basics of food hygiene'.

Birmingham City Council's food safety officer found issues in a number of key areas, from the cleanliness of the premises, how food was stored, hand washing, how to keep food safe and the illegal disposal of rubbish.

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Property Local put the business up for sale last month. The price is available on application and the agent urges anyone interested in taking it on to 'make them an offer'.

The business, which has a long lease, consists of the main dining area, kitchen, good-sized storeroom, and garden. Upstairs, a three-bedroom flat is above the premises, which pulls in £1,000 in rent per month.

Another plus point is the Mere Green location with a Sainsbury's, Argos and an Aldi on the doorstep. It was formerly a chip shop and the owner is said to have spent £150,000 on a complete refurbishment.

The agent said: "If you think you have got passion for this business and if you have got previous experience, give us a call."

When the sweet centre first opened on Sunday, May 5, there were 'queues down the road. ' The next day was equally busy, with stock selling fast.

When asked about the food hygiene inspection in October, Arjun Nijjar, from Sutton Sweet Centre, said: “What happened at the time was my brother and I were visiting family in Canada. When the guy came there was no management in.

“We were still getting building work done. The paperwork was at my house. The [schedule of works] is pretty much completed now. We have fixed up all the flooring and walls, which needed to be wipeable. All the kitchen stuff is all sorted as well.

“The staff have all got their level 2 hygiene [training/certificates] done and allergen training too. We take full responsibility for everything because it’s our business at the end of the day. A reinspection is booked in and expected in the next 28 days. It should be better.”