A NORTH Oxford restaurant has closed down following a zero food hygiene rating.

Casa in North Parade, run by German chef Michael von Hruschka, voluntarily closed for a month following the rating – the lowest possible – and has not re-opened since.

Oxford City Council said in its report it understood a business decision had been made to close the restaurant until its future had been decided.

Mr von Hruschka was best known for his former restaurant The Birdcage in London’s West End.

The report issued last month found there were insects and insect egg cases in the dry store and the door to the “low level” fridge was hanging off and needed to be repaired or replaced.

The inspector added: “At the time of my visit there was evidence of some very poor, longstanding cleaning issues, including accumulations of dirt and debris at floor/wall junctions and under appliances.”

The chef acquired the premises licence for the restaurant in November 2014 from Juan Luis Castro, who ran it as Italian restaurant Luna Caprese – Oxford’s oldest Italian that closed after 50 years.

Originally the German named it MVH Oxford before changing it to Casa, serving a mix of Far Eastern, Middle Eastern and European cuisine.

Last month’s report found the building in need of a “full renovation” and suggested in the meantime repairs were carried out to damaged floor and wall tiles, electrical wiring hanging from the ceilings and in particular the kitchen’s ventilation system. It warned that ventilation draws grease and moisture from cooking to prevent the build-up of dangerous gases.

The inspector added: “I strongly recommend the ventilation is replaced.

“There was grease dripping down from the canopy and it was not possible to assess whether the ventilation was working adequately.”

The city council’s environmental department also instructed repairs to cracked glass panes in food storage areas, lighting and the staff toilets which needed a “thorough” clean.

It said despite no evidence of pest activity, such activity would be hard to identify due to “poor cleaning and accumulations of unused equipment and clutter.”

Mr von Hruschka ran Michael’s Kitchen at the former pub The Old School in Gloucester Green before venturing over the North Parade last year. He was not available for comment.