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92
Bakehouses.—At the end of the year there were 19 premises
in the Borough being used as bakehouses of which 6 were of the
basement type and in respect of which Suitability Certificates were
in operation. These premises were visited on 145 occasions and,
resulting from these inspections, insanitary conditions were detected
and remedied in 12 instances and in one case only was the service
of a Notice required, the remaining improvements being effected
by informal action.
In the previous year it had been agreed to close one of the
basement bakehouses once satisfactory alternative accommodation
had been provided in the clearance area. It is expected that new
premises will be available at the latter end of 1951 or in the early
part of 1952 and the Certificate of Suitability in respect of the old
premises will then cease to have effect.
Catering Establishments.—Since 1947, when the National
Conference on Food Infections was held in London, campaigns have
been conducted at various times throughout the country to draw
the public's attention to the need for cleaner food handling. Shortages
of labour and materials have been a great drawback to progress
in this field but, despite the handicap, some fair measure of success
has been achieved in the Borough and the institution of the Greenwich
Guild of Hygiene did much to help.
Owing to pressing public demand for communal catering the
number of these establishments has risen sharply and the task of
their supervision has risen proportionately. The modern practice
of providing " works canteens " and the introduction of " school
meals " have only served to increase the Health Department's
responsibilities.
The Catering Establishment plays a great part in the business
and industrial life of the Borough and hotels, cafés, restaurants
and public houses provide meals and refreshments not only for
residents but for the numerous visitors who come by road, rail and
river to the National Maritime Museum, the famous Greenwich
Park and its equally famous Observatory. In securing a high
standard of cleanliness at these establishments the Food Inspectors
have ensured that foreign visitors to the 1951 Festival will carry
away only the best of impressions from this Borough.
As a result of 492 visits of inspection made to these food
premises, 44 insanitary conditions were remedied. On numerous
occasions during the year advice from the Food Inspectors was
sought by owners, proprietors, etc., of catering establishments and
the following table indicates the type of improvement carried out:—