THE MANAGER of a Lockeridge pub with a reputation for good food says he is disappointed that poor paperwork let down his pub to the extent that it scored zero in a recent food hygiene rating.

The Who'd A Thought It in Lockeridge was handed a zero rating by the Wiltshire Council food safety team, and has been told conditions have to improve. Since the inspection the manager of the pub, Chris Kent, has said that the main reason the rating was low was directly linked to the paperwork.

Mr Kent, 33, said: “We have got two members of staff other than myself and it is a busy place, so that is why some of the paperwork wasn’t all together. We are very disappointed with the rating, the paperwork really did damage the rating.”

The report issued by the food safety team said there is no evidence of a hazard analysis document system and there are no documented procedures which address compliance to training. It does say that the food preparation and use of disinfectants and sanitisers available on the premises was satisfactory.

“Everything has been rectified for the next inspection, we are waiting for them to return. It was nothing to do with the food, people come here a lot and when they do visit they really enjoy the food. We have customers who return to us regularly and always say the food is really good,” Mr Kent added.

The four-and-a-half star TripAdvisor rated pub has a plethora of positive online reviews.

One commenter wrote: “Wow what a great pub. Walked in on a chilly Saturday night to a lovely open fire, the landlord Chris was extremely welcoming and very friendly. The food was great and very tasty. Will definitely be coming back.”

Since the inspection Mr Kent says the issues raised in the report have been instantly acted upon and is confident the next rating will be a lot higher.

Mr Kent said: “I would just like to assure people that the proper procedures have since been put in place and the food is a high standard. We enjoy having the custom and we hope that this will not affect the business. We look forward to our next inspection with all the measures put in place.”