A Watford café has bounced back after it received a “catastrophic” food hygiene rating last year.

C’est Juice in St Albans Rd, which serves pressed juices and fresh food, was awarded a 5/5 rating upon inspection on January 31, just months after it was rated 2/5 by Environmental Health in October.

Owner Richard Stone, 40, said he was “horrified” to receive the ‘some improvement necessary’ notice after inspectors found there was no hot water and the electricity kept tripping.

Watford Observer: The café serves cold-pressed juices, fresh food and handmade Italian gelato.The café serves cold-pressed juices, fresh food and handmade Italian gelato. (Image: Richard Stone)He had blamed a “cowboy” plumber for the faults, who he said failed to install a pressure valve on the boiler, meaning that it cracked and started leaking.

Mr Stone also said the tradesman had wired the hot water tank directly into the mains in the kitchen, which meant there was not enough electricity to power it.

The café owner said it was a “big relief” that the rating had been changed, although the repairs have left the independent business £2,000 out of pocket.

“I kind of knew that we should have been a five anyway. To get a two was catastrophic and I was absolutely horrified," he added.

“I was quite pleased to get the recognition that we should get for our efforts.”