Rat droppings were found at a dirty Newcastle City Centre takeaway.
Pizza & Co received a zero-star food hygiene rating after the excrement was found in the basement.
The takeaway initially told ChronicleLive that a "few structural issues" were to blame for the score.
However, a report obtained under the Freedom of Information Act has revealed inspectors uncovered a series of hygiene breaches - including staff not washing their hands.
Dirty storage containers were found, along with holes in the same basement the rat waste was found.
"The cleanliness throughout the kitchen is not of a standard expected of a commercial food [venue]," states the Newcastle City Council report.
The takeaway has not responded to a request for comment since the actual reasons behind the score came to light.
However a senior councillor has now fired a warning to management over the "woefully inadequate" conditions inside.
“When we eat out or order a takeaway, we expect the food to be of a high standard," said Coun Nick Kemp, cabinet member for the environment and regulatory services.
"Good hygiene is a critical part of that, which is why the council has a statutory duty to inspect premises.
“It appears that on this occasion the standards of food hygiene were woefully inadequate and we expect to see big improvements quickly.
"Our officers are working with the takeaway owners and the message is clear - they have to seriously up their game if they want to remain in business.”
The report follows a November 25 inspection, which also found the Westmorland Road store didn't have suitable hand wash for staff.
Following the visit, bosses voluntarily closed that night for a clean ahead of another inspection the following day.
"There had been an improvement in the general cleanliness, so it was agreed that the business could reopen with conditions," states the response to the Freedom of Information request.
A hygiene improvement notice was served on 3 December along with a contraventions letter.
Just after Christmas, bosses requested and paid for a re-inspection, which is due to be carried out this month.
It is currently one of just two Newcastle venues with a zero star rating. The other, Najeb in Westgate Road, has been told it faces further actions unless it improves.
