A popular city centre pizzeria has temporarily closed its doors after concerns were raised by a team of council health inspectors.
Food Hygiene Inspectors inspected the Santa Maluco Rodizio Pizzeria in Castle Street and raised hygiene concerns with restaurant bosses.
A spokesman for the city council said: “City Council Environmental Health officers visited the Santa Maluco restaurant to undertake a routine food hygiene inspection."
"The business agreed to voluntary close the premises in order to deal with hygiene issues highlighted to them and a re-visit of the business will be carried out in due course.”
According to its website, the popular pizzeria should be open until midnight today - but when the ECHO visited this evening it was closed.
Santa Maluco bosses blamed the reason for the sudden closure on "building and safety concerns" following the inspection.
Santa Maluco joined the bustling Castle Street food and drink scene when it opened in 2016.
It was founded by the team behind popular city centre venues Santa Chupitos, Salt Dog Slims and El Bandito.
The restaurant has proved a popular staple in Castle Street and in 2017 made it to the final of the coveted National Pizza Awards.
The Echo understands that the closure of Santa Maluco is temporary and council inspectors will return soon for a follow up inspection to see if the hygiene issues raised have been dealt with.
They will then decide whether the restaurant should re-open.
Brian Humphrey of Santa Maluco, said: "Like many listed buildings in the Liverpool area, we have inherited some problems that have been issues for decades.
"Due to some building and safety concerns highlighted by today's EHO visit, we decided to voluntarily close to rectify these issues and take the opportunity to carry out some improvements to the venue."
