A number of restaurants in Jeddah have temporarily closed their doors fearing inspections by the municipality which shut down 100 eateries recently due to unhygienic conditions, poor quality of food and other violations.

Restaurant owners say that they prefer to close their restaurants rather than risk harming their reputation if their establishment is shut down by the municipality. Meanwhile, municipal officials continue to raid restaurants despite the owners’ complaints of the negative impact of such inspections.

“I can’t risk having my restaurant shut down by the inspectors for minor violations as it will destroy both my business and reputation among my customers,” a restaurant owner, who did not want to be identified, told Arab News.

He added that some of his workers could make small mistakes that could lead to the closure of his restaurant. “So it is better that I ensure that my restaurant is adhering to the health and safety standards before I open it to the public,” he said.

Several restaurants in Jeddah which were shut down by the municipality have put up notices announcing that they are closed for maintenance in order to protect their reputation, according to a local media source.

“Customers usually stop visiting a restaurant if they discover that it had been shut down by the municipality for health violations,” said Salem Elwan, a Syrian restaurant owner.

Meanwhile, spokesman for Jeddah municipality Muhammed Al-Buqami said that the decision to shut down restaurants for health and safety violations was only temporary until the owners meet the requirements. “Those establishments which opened without the municipality’s approval were shut down again and fined for violating the municipality’s ruling,” he added.

Al-Buqami stressed that the municipality would continue to shut down any restaurant which provides unhygienic food, has improper storage facilities or is operating without a license.

Anyone who views this as an injustice can take their case to court,” Al-Buqami said.

According to the official, the municipality will continue its inspection of all food-related facilities in the city, regardless of the size or popularity of the establishment.

Al-Buqami said that naming and shaming offending restaurants is part of the municipality’s accountability to citizens with regard to their health and safety.