Two German market traders were shut down temporarily and around 20 other Christmas food stalls in Birmingham were told to improve by hygiene inspectors.

Birmingham City Council environmental health officials visited more 70 'high risk' vendors - selling cooked or open food - throughout the city centre's three main Christmas events, the Frankfurt Market, Cathedral Market and City Social at the Mailbox.

While the majority of traders passed there were a number of businesses who were not up to standard and even failed inspections.

The findings have been published in a report to go to the council's Licensing and Public Protection committee on Wednesday (December 19).

Frankfurt Market - New Street and Victoria Square

People enjoying all that Birmingham's German Christmas Market has to offer.
People enjoying all that Birmingham's German Christmas Market has to offer.

Inspectors applied a traffic light rating system when they visited 50 traders on November 15 - green = pass, yellow = improve, red = fail.

Two stalls failed and were ordered to cease operating immediately due to a lack of allergen advice on display.

Six vendors required minor improvements relating to hand-washing facilities, temperature control and pest prevention measures.

The remaining stalls all passed.

The council confirmed all issues were rectified and all traders were up to standard when inspectors returned on November 20.

A spokesman for the Frankfurt market organisers said: "We welcome the inspections by environmental health and their suggestions as to how we can further improve our processes and reflect changing practice in order to offer the highest possible standards to our visitors.

"In the area of allergen information, where businesses across the UK are currently reviewing their information following recent well-publicised cases, we particularly welcome the guidance given in order to meet the latest standards of best practice.

"Nothing is more important to us than the well-being and enjoyment of our visitors."

Cathedral Market - St Philip's Cathedral grounds

The Birmingham Christmas Market at Birmingham Cathedral, looking towards the Grand Hotel
The Birmingham Christmas Market at Birmingham Cathedral, looking towards the Grand Hotel

Officers were not able to apply the traffic light rating system and instead flagged up issues with organisers and agreed deadlines for them to be addressed.

They confirmed two businesses failed due to hand-washing and cleaning standards although the problems were 'rectified shortly after'.

A further nine stalls were told to improve around pest proofing, allergy advice and cleaning. Four stalls passed without a problem.

Inspectors raised 'significant concerns' around a communal wash area which was also being used as a preparation area. The council is still monitoring the issue.

There were also problems with 'unauthorised stalls' appearing without prior notice.

A cathedral spokeswoman, responding on behalf of organisers Event Catering Services, said: “Checks were made on our set up day before the official opening of Christmas at the Cathedral.

"We welcome all hygiene checks and are extremely proud of partnering up with the company running our Christmas market.

“Not only do they carry and maintain a five star hygiene rating, they have worked well with the city council during the many months of planning to achieve a safe and enjoyable market for all.

"They are also to only market in the city to donate much needed food to the homeless community."

City Social - Underpass near the Mailbox

Christmas Market stalls in the underpass near to the Mailbox in Birmingham city centre.

Similarly to the cathedral market inspectors were not able to formally apply the green, yellow, red system and instead raised matters with organisers.

The council stated that out of nine stalls only two would have been given a pass card. Three stalls needed to improve and four failed, all of which received schedules of work.

Officers confirmed all issues were dealt with and re-checked. The council did not elaborate on the nature of the concerns but added that many of the traders had not complied with pre-event checks as stipulated by the authority's Outdoor Events Organisers' Guide.

Conclusion

The council report concludes: "The food team will use this data to help ensure mobile traders who attend outdoor events staged in Birmingham continue to comply with the requirements of food hygiene and safety legislation.

"The officers have strongly recommended to the organisers of the City Social and Cathedral Christmas Market that they attain higher standards by following the council’s outdoor events organisers’ guide."