One of Dublin's best-known and largest restaurants, Bewley's Cafe in Westmoreland Street, has been closed temporarily because of a problem with flies in the premises, according to the Eastern Health Board. But its owner, the Campbell Bewley Group, said the closure was prompted by an electrical wiring problem.
The health board said in a statement last night the premises was "closed voluntarily" after discussions between management and an environmental health officer "following the discovery of flies on the premises". The health officer had given advice and would visit again today.
The cafe was closed "to carry out essential maintenance" due to an unforeseen electrical wiring problem, said Mr Donal O'Brien, of Cambell Catering. It would reopen on Friday. Customers who arrived at its front door after the closure were given free tea and coffee vouchers for other Bewley's outlets.
Mr O'Brien said the problem arose with wiring behind "serveries" where food is displayed. It was considered unsafe and necessitated pulling out wires, stripping counters and ripping up floor boards.
The premises was to undergo major refurbishment next year as it was part of an old building. "We have not been shut down by any environmental health problem. We elected ourselves to close because of a problem with wiring. That is the long and short of it," he said.
When asked about a complaint made to the Eastern Health Board by a member of the public about the condition of the premises and the presence of flies, Mr O'Brien said it had been necessary since the weekend to move counters and disturb areas which may have created "dirt and dust". He accepted this was not ideal, but the matter was being sorted out.
If that person had complained formally, the company would have explained in full. e, he said.
In response to the EHB statement, Mr O'Brien said walls had to be opened and cabinets moved to find the source of the electrical problem, and in the process debris, dirt and "probably some flies" arose from this. It was decided to close when the extent of the problem became evident, and not following any EHB or public complaint.
Bewley's had been serving a loyal Dublin public for many years and would not be allowed to continue to do so if its hygiene practices were not as they should be, he said.
