Sofia Frankston closed by council over ‘unclean, unsafe’ conditions
Hundreds of families have had their Fathers Day plans up-ended after a prominent beachside restaurant was forced to close.
South East
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A prominent bayside restaurant has been forced to close, leaving Fathers Day celebrations in limbo for hundred of families.
Sofia Frankston was ordered to close on Friday by the local council after a senior environmental health inspector reported the Italian eatery was in an “unclean or unsanitary condition” and in a “state of disrepair”.
A notice signed by Frankston City Council chief executive Phil Cantillon attached to the front door of the restaurant also stated that “food is being prepared, sold, or otherwise handled at the premises in a manner that makes it likely that the food is unsafe or unsuitable”.
The eatery, which specialises in Italian cuisine, was told it could not trade again until the issues were resolved.
A staff member told the Herald Sun on Saturday that “the timing was terrible”.
They said the restaurant, which is just steps from the sand, had hundreds of bookings for Fathers Day on Sunday.
“We’re calling them all today to let them know,” they said.
“It’s such a shame, we were just starting to get going again and the weather tomorrow was going to be perfect.”
The staff member said the issues at the restaurant were related to “a problem in the kitchen”.
They said repairs were being organised and the business hoped to open again quickly.
“Hopefully within a week,” they said.
“There’s plenty of summer ahead and hopefully the people we’re calling today will re-book when we reopen.”
The business was instructed to display the council order regarding its temporary closure in a “conspicuous part” of the premises until the order was revoked.
A Frankston local, who did not wish to be named, said many Father’s Day celebrations had probably been ruined by the sudden closure.
“Unsafe? Unsanitary? That’s outrageous!,” they said.
Sofia can appeal the council order to the Magistrates Court.
If the business fails to comply with the order it could be fined $23,000.
Removing a copy of the order from the premises while the order is still in force attracts a fine of $11,500.
