BOSSES at a Colne eatery have labelled a ‘zero star’ rating for food hygiene as “ridiculous” and vowed to reverse an inspector’s damning verdict.

Public health bosses have insisted, though, that they had to admonish the Green Chimney, in Albert Road, after receiving a number of complaints.

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One of the owners, Henry Hooks, is calling for a fresh inspection of the premises, at the corner of Lord Street, in the wake of the announcement.

Mr Hook, who is responsible for the former Pendle Independent Shop of the Year with his twin brother, George, and mother, Dorothy Metcalfe, has insisted the location was previously five-star rated.

He has blamed a management issue for the ‘zero’ grading and is adamant that good hygiene is a major concern for the cafe bar.

An inspection rated their food hygiene and safety performance, and structural compliance, as ‘bad’, with their being “little confidence” in management that improvements would be forthcoming.

Stuart Arnott, the borough council’s public health manager, said: “We took prompt action to inspect the Green Chimney following complaints made alleging hygiene problems.

“We had to issue a zero food hygiene rating, which means urgent improvement is necessary. We’ve given them clear instructions on what they need to do and we provide specific advice from the national Food Standards Agency.

“It’s our job to see that the issues are resolved.”

It is understood the outlet can request a re-inspection after three months. Only one other site, Maria’s Butchers, in Bradley Road, Nelson, currently has a zero star rating in Pendle.

Mr Hooks said: “There is no way we are a zero star rating – that is ridiculous.

“I’m writing a letter to the council now to ask for another inspection. Before this, we had always had five stars.”

Belinda Niccolls, commenting on the venue’s own Facebook site, said: “This establishment needs a serious deep clean – the toilet facilities where dirty, which for a place that serves food is unacceptable.

“The staff seemed to be over-stretched and untrained in customer service.”

Another customer, Tyler Bell, felt there was a “very high standard of food and service” there.