A popular country pub in North Somerset has received a zero food hygiene rating.
The Star in Congresbury, around half an hour's drive from Bristol, was visited by a Food Standards Agency inspector on October 18 who gave it the lowest possible grading.
They found improvement was necessary in the 'hygienic food handling' and major improvement was required in 'cleanliness and condition of facilities and building' and 'management of food safety'.
The village pub is owned by Greene King and is reviewed favourably online, with a rating of 4 / 5 on TripAdvisor and 4.3 / 5 on Google.
Visitors often praise the 'delicious' carvery and service at the family friendly pub.
Pub is 'seeking a re-inspection'
A spokesperson for Greene King, the UK's largest pub operator and brewer, described the inspection as a 'brief but unacceptable lapse'.
They told Bristol Live: "We pride ourselves on our normally high standards and apologise to customers for this brief but unacceptable lapse.
"We took immediate action in October to remedy the issues identified and have worked closely with the council since to ensure they are happy with our improvements.
"We are confident in the pub’s standards and are seeking a re-inspection to regain our previous high rating as soon as possible."
It is not clear why The Star received a zero hygiene rating.
When asked to clarify the reason the Greene King spokesperson did not want to comment further but said the issues were 'rectified quickly'.
Bristol Live has contacted North Somerset Council to ask when the re-inspection will take place and is awaiting a response.
What does a zero rating mean?
When a business receives a zero hygiene rating from the Food Standards Agency, it means urgent improvement is necessary.
Inspectors consider how hygienically food is handled, how it is prepared, cooked, re-heated, cooled and stored.
They examine the building itself, judging its cleanliness, layout, lighting, ventilation and facilities.
Also key is how the business manages and records what it does to ensure food is safe.
This weekend Bristol Live is publishing a round-up of all the food businesses in Bristol which received a zero hygiene rating in 2019, including establishments which currently have the rating.
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