Granary Bakehouse closes after zero food hygiene rating

Granary Bakehouse and Cafe, in Festival Place, closed its doors for good last weekend after it was rated 'urgent improvement necessary' following a visit from food hygiene inspectors on January 9.

The café, which served a range of coffees, cakes and sandwiches including frappes, croissants, deli-style baguettes, and sausage rolls, previously held a one-out-of-five rating.

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The cafe is the only establishment in Basingstoke and Deane to receive a zero rating following inspection.

A spokesperson for Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council said they could not comment on the zero rating, as the premises is currently the subject of an ongoing legal investigation, but that the environmental health team was working with the business to ensure there was no ongoing risk.

Food safety officers rate food hygiene by handling of food, the cleanliness and condition of the building and facilities, and the officer's confidence in the establishment.

The cleanliness and condition of the facilities and building, which includes the layout, ventilation, hand washing facilities and pest control, was found to be generally satisfactory.

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Inspectors found the handling of food at the establishment, which includes preparation, cooking, re-heating, cooling, and storage, 'required improvement'.

The inspection also found that urgent improvement was necessary to ensure systems or checks were in place to ensure that food sold or served was safe to eat, including staff’s knowledge of food safety and the inspector’s confidence that standards would be maintained in the future.

Customers were informed of the cafe's imminent closure by a sign placed on the establishment, which read 'Granary is now closed'.

Granary Bakehouse was contacted for comment, but did not respond.