Filthy takeaway faces axe after dismal score
Outlets’ dismay at food ratings
OWNERS of a filthy takeaway given the lowest food hygiene rating fear their business will collapse.
The Wonderful Chinese, in Copnor Road, Portsmouth, has been branded among the worst-rated in the city, receiving a ‘zero’ food hygiene rating – the lowest possible mark.
As previously reported, the eatery had been told to stop serving food after a bacon joint 13 days out of date and contaminated rice was discovered.
Inspectors found a slew of disgusting conditions at the restaurant – known as Wonderful Eat – on July 28 before slapping the premises with a hygiene emergency prohibition notice forcing it to close.
But now the venue’s dismayed owner, Patrick Koon, has insisted he has done everything to fix the issues.
Mr Koon said: ‘We have been shut down twice since the visit. I am doing everything the Food Standards Agency asked of me, now my business is going downhill.
‘We had a five-star rating before, now we're waiting for further visits to improve the rating.’
The situation comes as The News revealed how some of the other 16 city restaurants to have received a rating of zero or one – the lowest scores that can be received by the Food Standards Agency – in the last 18 months have reacted.
All businesses which handle food must be rated by the Food Standard Agency on their cleanliness, food handling, the condition of their facilities and the management of their food.
Each business will then be given a rating between zero and five by inspectors, with five being the best.
Port Solent's Relentless outlet received a rating of just one.
Scott Matthews, owner of Relentless, said: ‘My life has been on hold since the rating. The inspector showed up unannounced during a busy lunch period just after we reopened after lockdown.
‘I have paid £205 for another visit as we disagreed with the score we were given. That was months ago and we still haven't had a revisit. It has been really damaging to the business.'
China House, in Albert Road, Southsea, received a rating of one.
The owner of China House told The News they were confident they had improved and added: ‘We have corrected everything we needed to. We have had a revisit and we are very happy with that.’