Watchdogs say “urgent improvement” is necessary at a County Durham Chinese takeaway which was in September awarded a 0-star food hygiene rating.

Royal Chef on Manor Street, Bishop Auckland was awarded the lowest rating possible by the Food Standards Agency in an inspection on September 7.

The takeaway, which offers a traditional British Chinese takeaway menu, has since been told that urgent improvement is necessary in relation to their food hygiene practices.

Here’s what each food hygiene rating means:

  • 0 - Urgent Improvement Necessary
  • 1 - Major Improvement Necessary
  • 2 - Some Improvement Necessary
  • 3 - Hygiene Standards Generally Satisfactory
  • 4 - Hygiene Standards Good
  • 5 - Hygiene Standards Very Good

During its inspection, the restaurant was inspected on its hygienic food handling, cleanliness and condition of facilities and building as well as management of food safety.

In both cleanliness and food safety management, the business was told that urgent improvement was necessary.

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Shang Cai, of Royal Chef, commented that the restaurant is "it is not a zero star standard" and that the restaurant has "made improvements" as the previous inspection took place during the handover of owners.

The team have applied for a re-inspection, and are hoping to have an updated rating this month.