The hospitality industry has suffered enough this year with lockdown's and covid-19 restrictions, however poor hygiene has no place in any food establishment.

The Andover Advertiser found this wasn't the case for many restaurants in Andover this year, with many scoring ratings of 4 and 5, however a select few eateries were hit with a rating of 3 and below by the Food Standards Agency.

A food safety officer from the local authority inspects a business to check that it follows food hygiene law so that the food is safe to eat.

The Food Standards Agency carries out inspections and rates the observed hygiene standards on a scale from zero to five.

Inspectors check the following criteria:

How hygienically the food is handled – how it is prepared, cooked, re-heated, cooled and stored

The condition of the structure of the buildings – the cleanliness, layout, lighting, ventilation, and other facilities

How the business manages what it does to make sure food is safe and so that the officer can be confident standards will be maintained in the future.

What do the numbers mean?

Zero – Urgent improvement necessary.

One – Major improvements necessary.

Two – Improvements necessary.

Three – Generally Satisfactory.

Four – Good on assessment.

Five – Seen as very good.

Below are a list of Andover eateries that scored a 3 or below:

Ludgershall Fast Food Centre - 3

Spar - 3

Mughal Indian & Bangladeshi Cuisine - 2

Smart Fish Bar - 3

The Bell Inn - 3

Weyhill West Starbucks - 3

Esseborne Manor - 3

Hare And Hounds - 3

Old Castle Club - 3

Papa John's Pizza - 3

Tip Top Chinese Fish & Chips - 3

Xpresso Bar - 3

Zak's Kitchen - 3

Delicatessen 13 - 3

Peking Chef - 3

Quality Hotel - 3

The Chillies Restaurant - 3

The Queen Charlotte Inn - 3

The Swallow - 3

Camara's Cafe - 1

Camara's Fish Bar - 1

Fireaway - 1

Londis - 1

Sheep Fayre Stores - 1

If your business features on the list and you would like to inform us of any improvements you have made to your establishment, please email harvey.lindsay@newsquest.co.uk