With lockdown closing the hospitality industry for several months this year, it was seen as the perfect opportunity for restaurants to fix certain issues they may have had with their restaurant and make any improvements and adjustments once restrictions were lifted.

But the Hampshire Chronicle found this wasn't the case for a number of restaurants in Winchester this year, with a select few being stamped 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 the Winchester eateries that scored a 3 or below:

Bento Factory - 3

Crown and Anchor - 3

Frieda's Tearoom - 3

Happy Pizza/Mermaids Fish and Chips - 3

Mr So Restaurant - 3

Mulan Chinese Takeaway - 3

Pizza Pan - 3

Rimjhim Contemporary Indian Cuisine - 3

Shanghai Papa - 3

Spar - 3

Supreme Chinese Takeaway - 3

The Exchange - 3

Gurkhas Inn - 1

Nuudle Bar Winchester - 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