A CAFE which was once forced to close because it was labelled a health hazard has been turned around by new owners.

The former Cambella Cafe, at the Victoria shopping centre, in Southend, was forced to temporarily close in 2009 and previous owner, Ali Soygazi, was fined £12,000 after health inspectors found mice droppings in the kitchen.

However, the now rebranded Chez Cafe, taken over by Rochford couple, Helen and Rowan Langlois, has been completely turned round.

The icing on the cake came recently when Food Standards Agency inspectors gave it a five-star hygiene rating following a visit.

Mr Langlois, 42, said they had to work hard to create a new clean, bright and healthy cafe.

He said: “When we first came to look around the cafe, we saw bits we thought we could keep.

“But when it came down to it, everything had to go. It was absolutely atrocious.

“I have worked in construction in the past and it is the first time I have had to clean my tools every day. Everything had been left in years of grease.”

During the major revamp, anti-bacteria paint was used on the walls.

The Chez Cafe team have followed strict hygiene guidelines and religiously filled in their environmental health log book.

Mr Langlois added: “As a chef, I’m not your standard cafe owner. For me, it’s a personal thing.

“Now we have got it, we are not going to let it go. It’s a bit like Michelin stars – getting it is great but holding on to it is more important.

“Once people see you don’t have it anymore, they assume your standards have slipped.

“Environmental health officers get a lot of stick by the public and other cafe owners, but we found if you work with them they actually give you a lot of support and guidance.”