Chinese takeaway handed zero food hygiene rating

BENWELL’S first Chinese takeaway closed a day after getting a zero food hygiene rating.

Benwell Takeaway known affectionately to locals as Peter Wong’s - had been a West End favourite since the 1970s.

But the Adelaide Terrace store was handed the lowest rating by inspectors in October last year.

“There is now a new owner of the takeaway who is refurbishing and planning to reopen soon, a new business with no connections to the previous owner,” said a spokesperson for Newcastle City Council.

On Facebook, the takeaway claims it is “the oldest and first Chinese, Cantonese Takeaway in Benwell”.

And previously, customers were full of praise for the food with one writing it was the “best Chinese in Newcastle by far”.

“We used to go in the 70s and then I popped back a few years ago and Peter was even nicer than I remembered. Legend,” added another review. But the takeaway’s hygiene rating plummeted in recent years and the council said “major improvement” was needed.

However, the council spokesperson added: “The takeaway has closed down, the owner did a voluntary close because of serious concerns but he was already leaving the business the following day.”

The Sunday Sun repeatedly contacted the site’s former management for comment but they did not respond.

In January, the owners posted on Facebook that the shop was closed due to a “fire”, adding: “Will be open soon”.

However, the council report revealed inspectors raised concerns over the takeaway’s cleanliness and condition, its hygiene and the management.

The inspection meant that the takeaway was one of only three food establishments in the whole of the city which has the zero star rating. The Sunday Sun also attempted to contact the unit’s new management for comment.