THE CO-OWNER of a popular Oxford coffee chain has defended its museum pop-up cafe after a poor hygiene score.

The Missing Bean was given a two-star rating when Oxford City Council food and hygiene inspectors visited its Pitt Rivers Museum spot in June and told to immediately stop producing food on-site.

This was due to contamination fears as there was no plumbing in place at the temporary South Parks Road cafe, which was sharing facilities with the staff kitchen at the museum.

Ori Halup, who set up the business nine years ago with Victoria Troth, said: “We knew it was an issue from the start and told the museum. The pop-up was only supposed to last for around 30 days and the provision we had in place with a electric pump sink would have been fine for that but it was extended.”

He added: “As soon as we had the inspection by that Sunday we had stopped making food at the site and that is still the case now. Any food is currently provided by a catering company. Even though it was two stars the confidence in management was rated as good, which I think reflects that this was an unusual circumstance, as does the fact are other cafes are four or five star rated.”

The Missing Bean, which also has a branch on Turl Street and in the St Cross building as well as supplying around 30 Oxford businesses with coffee, opened at the Pitt Rivers Museum in March.

The inspector wrote in their report: “At the time of inspection I was concerned to find no mains draining/plumbing to the cafe. This is a poor standard. You must cease making sandwiches on site.”

It added: “The pop-up cafe must operate independently of the shared staff kitchen other than to collect/empty water. This is for reasons of infection control/preventing cross contamination.”

The inspector called for hot water on tap to the wash hand basin, for a paper towel dispenser to be provided, as well as a separate sink to wash equipment with hot and cold water on tap.

They continued: “To resume preparation of sandwiches ideally a food wash sink is necessary. However, it may be possible to use an equipment sink if this is well managed.”

Mr Halup said as installing plumbing was not possible, the business outsourced food as well as bringing in three 20 litre water containers each day for drinks.

He added: "It is a hassle to do but despite this we have had a really positive reception at the museum and it has been a positive experience."

The cafe will be at the museum until the end of September.