The Michelin-starred Star Inn at Harome in Yorkshire reopened last night after it closed following an outbreak of norovirus.
Proprietors Jacquie and Andrew Pern voluntarily shut the restaurant for one week on 3 November after more than 80 diners and several members of staff fell ill with the winter vomiting bug.
According to the Health Protection Agency (HPA) the illness affected diners who had eaten at the Star Inn between 18 and 28 October. It added that while its investigation was ongoing it had agreed that the Star Inn could resume trading.
Paul Crossley, principal environmental health officer at Ryedale District Council, said: “While the restaurant has been closed, thorough and effective cleaning procedures have been implemented.
“The restaurant has also agreed to comply with enhanced control measures recommended after a thorough risk assessment was carried out by our environmental health team and the HPA’s North Yorkshire and Humber Health Protection Unit.”
Jacquie Pern said: “We thank all the many people who have sent us kind messages of support and look forward to welcoming guests back to the Star.”
Last month, Heston Blumenthal criticised the HPA for the handling of its report into the outbreak of norovirus at his three-Michelin-starred restaurant the Fat Duck.
Blumenthal, who closed the restaurant in Bray, Berkshire, for two weeks in February after more than 500 diners had fallen ill, said the hospitality industry needed more support when handling crises such a norovirus outbreak.
Norovirus closes Michelin-starred Star Inn at Harome >>
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By Kerstin Kühn
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