RESTAURANT CLEAN-UP

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 106, 1 November 1943, Page 3

RESTAURANT CLEAN-UP

CLOSER CLASSIFICATION

A new approach is being made by the City Council to the long overdue clean-up of restaurants and eating places by a request to the Government for a closer classification of all places where food is served to be eaten on the premises, so that an end may be put to, or at least obstacles may be put in the way of, the use of unsuitable premises as "eating houses." This is so vague' a term that though the council's inspectors may know what it means, people who run such places see no reason why they should not. while the going is good, ■ extend their activities to the limit. So it has come about that cup-of-tea-and-biscuit sidelines in one-room shops have broadened themselves out to, serve soup, pies, cold luncheon, hot teas, with no sort 'of kitchen facilities adequate for the'new'business.

There have been several instances of transfer of such businesses to newcomers, willing to pay substantial go 4 od will on the proved turn-over of recent months, but who later are brought to a dead stop when inspectors have pointed out that the legitimate business permitted by the licence is limited and "conditional." What is now asked for is a detailed classification so that the licence for each place will state what are the limits of business allowed.

That is one approach to the restaurant and eating-house problem, but it still does not get nearer the physical clean-up of those premises which fall a long way short of plain cleanliness of food preparation, storage, and backyards.