A BASINGSTOKE gastropub which was ordered to make “major improvements” to ensure the food it serves is safe to eat has been told it still has problems to rectify after a reinspection.

As reported in the Gazette in January, The Sun Inn, in North Waltham, was graded as one out of five for its hygiene following an inspection.

At the time, a statement from the pub blamed the former management following a change in ownership, saying the inspector had picked up on outstanding issues which they were unaware of.

The Sun Inn was re-inspected on May 13 and again issued with a one.

A spokesperson said: “At the time of the inspection in May we had just brought in a completely new team who were not fully conversant with the location of the necessary document records.

“We were also completing the refurbishment work to the kitchen and public areas and the visiting officer agreed to return after this final work had been completed which took only a few days.

“This visit has now been made and the relevant documentation and records were presented. However we were informed that as the officer’s report had already been filed we would have to wait for the rating to be changed by organising a further inspection.

“We are liaising with the officer to perform another inspection as soon as possible so that our food hygiene rating reflects the true standards being achieved. In the meantime we can assure all of our customers that the safety of the food we prepare and serve will always be our primary consideration.”

The most recent inspection shows the pub was found to have good hygienic food handling, while cleanliness and condition of the building was said to need improvement and management of food safety was said to require major improvements resulting in the low overall score.

Under the terms of the hygiene rating scheme as set by the Food Standards Agency the restaurant must keep its current rating for a minimum of three months before it can apply for a re-rating.