FOOD hygiene inspectors have ordered a "filthy" coffee shop at York Station to make urgent improvements.

Costa Coffee, which is situated in the old signal box on the station footbridge, was given a rating of one by council officers who visited the cafe on February 20. Zero is the lowest rating.

The inspection report said parts of the refrigerated display units were stained, the tills and Wifi equipment was filthy and some storage cupboards were held together with cable ties.

The report said: “The tracks to the refrigerated display unit were encrusted with food debris. Chopping boards were poorly cleaned and disinfected.

“The rear of the sandwich fridge was stained and company paperwork splattered with spillages.

“The box in which the probes were contained was filthy.

“The door to the coffee grounds bin is un-cleanable. The area in which cleaning products are stored is filthy and needs resurfacing. Windows are filthy and dusty.

“The site has been flagged as in need of refurbishment for some two years. This is now urgent."

Inspectors also pointed out that the store had no senior manager.

A spokesman for Costa said the cafe was closed for 24 hours following the inspection for a deep clean to be carried out. Council hygiene officers then visited the branch the next day and found the cafe was "significantly improved".

The Costa spokesman added: “We take all food hygiene ratings extremely seriously and were disappointed with the rating given in February this year.

"It is extremely important to us that all our stores operate to high standards of hygiene and we take it very seriously when any store fails to meet these high standards.

"We have robust measures in place to address poor standards and work closely with the local authority enforcement officers to immediately rectify any concerns.

"Please be assured that Costa, Old Signal Box, York Station, has undergone an extensive deep clean and has a new store manager in place delivering high standards.

"The store is due a full refurbishment in the coming months, which will further address some of the issues around its upkeep as a Grade II-listed building.”

Matt Boxall, head of public protection at City of York Council, said: “Consumers need to rely on high standards of food hygiene at the premises they use and can check their ratings at ratings.food.gov.uk.

“Our officers investigate the reasons for poor hygiene, advise on improvements and take proportionate enforcement action.

"In this instance, we revisited the following day and found significant improvements had been made."