A PUB that was inspected shortly after new owners took over has been told it requires major improvement in managing food safety.
The Penruddoke Arms, on Hindon Road in Dinton, was visited by the Food Standards Agency on July 20 and inspectors handed the owners a one-out-of-five hygiene rating.
Officers inspected three areas of the establishment and found varying standards.
Inspectors said hygienic food handling was 'generally satisfactory' but that the cleanliness and condition of facilities and building needed improvement and the management of food safety needed 'major' improvement.
As previously reported by the Journal, the business underwent a change in ownership on May 6, 10 years after the previous owners left.
Food hygiene ratings are published publicly by the Food Standards Agency, the government department responsible for protecting public health in relation to food.
It is important to note that food hygiene ratings reflect the standards of food hygiene, not the food quality.
Business owners have the right to reply to their local authority about the food hygiene rating given, but their accuracy is not verified.
A spokesperson for the Penruddocke Arms said: "We are disappointed that the findings of the Environmental Health Officer do not accurately reflect the usual operation of the business.
"The visit was carried out on a day the pub was not serving meals and the kitchen was closed for routine weekly cleaning. Had the inspection occurred hours later we are confident the results would be significantly different. We had only been in tenure for six weeks when the visit occurred."
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The spokesperson said steps had been taken to review business practices, including refresher training for relevant staff.
"The EHO revisited us on 14 September 2023 and has seen the remedial works that have been carried out. We have applied and are awaiting a re-rating inspection where we are confident that a new rating will match those of our expectation and the expectation of our customers," they added.
The pub refused to comment further when contacted by the Journal but confirmed no re-inspection from the Food Standards Agency has taken place yet.
To view the Food Standards Agency rating visit ratings.food.gov.uk/business/260808/penruddocke-arms-salisbury.
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