A PUB has been given a revamp after being given the worst possible food hygiene rating in a recent inspection.

The Eight Bells in Eaton, between Appleton and Cumnor, was awarded a food hygiene rating of 0 with “urgent improvement necessary” by Vale of White Horse District Council.

Refurbishment has been carried out at the pub since the inspection, and it is due to reopen tonight.

Pub landlord Tommy O’Sullivan said yesterday: “We weren’t doing food at the time of the inspection as we were in negotiations to get a new kitchen.

“We were reported to environmental health and we closed to do a revamp. We’ve done more than the environmental health team has asked us to do – we’ve gone way above what they require.”

He said the pub was due to be inspected again today and he aimed to reopen tonight.

Under the ‘Scores on the Doors’ scheme, organisations are rated from zero – the worst – to five, which is the best.

The pub scored “very bad” in both food hygiene, and safety and structural compliance, categories in last month’s inspection.

A food establishment with a zero rating does not have to close but must make urgent improvements.

A “very bad” rating is awarded for almost total non-compliance with statutory regulations, according to the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

The pub also got a ‘no confidence in management’ rating, which equates to a poor track record of compliance, little or no technical knowledge, little or no appreciation of hazards or quality control and no food safety management system.

The FSA said that this year, only 12 of the 5,400 food establishments in Oxfordshire have been told they need urgent improvements.

To see current county ratings, go to scoresonthedoors.org.uk

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