Heston Blumenthal's restaurant closes after sickness bug outbreak

Celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal has been forced to close his Michelin-starred London restaurant after an outbreak of norovirus.

Dinner at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park Hotel was closed after complaints were received and Westminster Council environmental health officers carried out tests which came back negative.

Speaking to The Mail on Sunday, Blumenthal said: "I therefore decided to close the restaurant."

"I personally have the experience and knowledge about this winter bug and how to contain it immediately.

"But to completely and permanently rule out any further contamination takes a few days to be 100 per cent sure. I know many schools and companies have been affected with higher volumes of people than us, but my concern is my guests and staff."

He added that he will reopen the restaurant "safe in the knowledge that we have done everything we can do to continue to strive to create the perfect environment and food for my guests to enjoy."

The Daily Telegraph reports that in February 2009, Heston's Fat Duck restaurant in Berkshire was closed after hundreds of diners complained of vomiting and diarrhoea.

Norovirus, known as the winter vomiting bug, is a highly contagious virus which causes vomiting and diarrhoea. It is the most common stomach bug in Britain. There is no cure for the virus and those infected have to let it run its course.

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