A POPULAR Irish cafe has issued an apology to its customers after being shut down for a time following a failed HSE inspection.
Tank & Skinny’s No6 branch in Courtyard Shopping Centre, Letterkenny, Co Donegal was recently closed for 48 hours.
Bosses of the breakfast and lunch spot confirmed that the food spot was closed for less than 48 hours following an inspection by HSE Environmental Health Officers.
The cafe claimed that the closure was as a result of a “series of unfortunate events” and admitted that “timing was not on our side” at the time of the inspection.
It had problems with its hot water system on the day of the inspection, leading to team members washing dishes from a hot water geyser.
Chiefs said an emergency plumber had already been called to fix the issue and it was resolved the following morning.
The cafe has since passed another HSE inspection, and is back open for business.
Bosses took to social media to explain the situation to customers.
They said: “We take food safety extremely seriously.
“Our customers will know that we always have, and we promise that we always will.
“We’re sharing this post not because we have to, but because we want you to hear this direct from us.
“In a huge shock to us, on Tuesday afternoon, our sister coffee shop in Letterkenny failed a HSE inspection.
“It was a textbook series of unfortunate events.
“For example, our HACCP records weren’t up to scratch and our hot water had just stopped working with an emergency plumber booked for the following morning.
“In the meantime, our team members were washing dishes with boiling water from the hot water geyser.
“In the short time that has elapsed since then, the plumber has been and left, with the hot water supply restored yesterday morning.
“Timing was just not on our side with the inspection and on reflection we should have ceased trading for the rest of the day due to the lack of mains hot water, so we have definitely learned from this.
“Today, less than 48 hours after our closure we have had another inspection and passed, which is our usual standard. Letterkenny is now back in action.”
The cafe bosses told how their reputation is “very important” to them, extending an apology to all their customers in Letterkenny.
‘LESSON LEARNT’
They said: “Our reputation is very important to us, which is why we wanted to share this news with you, with an assurance of our sustained commitment to exceptional health and safety.
“We’d like to thank the HSE for coming back to redo the inspection so quickly, so we can get back to do what we love and do what we do best — serving you guys.
“We are sorry that this has happened but we hope you will understand.
“Thanks as always for your continued support. The Tank & Skinny’s Team.”
Customers took to the comments to rally behind the team at the lunch spot.
One person said: “Go ye. Great to see your honesty and you only ever adhere to the highest standards.”
Another commented: “Your honesty will carry you far. Great job. And exactly what the expectations are all about.
“Lesson learnt, move on from it. Keep up the great work.”
A third said: “Eating in the limavady outlet once a week for over a year and couldn’t fault anything or anyone! We all have had a bad day here or there.”
The Irish Sun reached out to the FSAI and HSE but did not receive an immediate response.
