MORE than 20 restaurants, pubs and bars operating in Bolton require major improvement after being criticised by food standards inspectors.

And two of the borough’s restaurants received the worst possible rating of zero, meaning urgent improvements are needed.

The lowest rated restaurants in the borough were Portofino’s in St George’s Road and Kani Restaurant in Derby Street, both of which received a zero rating at their last inspections.

Portofino’s said that the main issue was lack of hot water in the building.

Restaurant manager, David Cairney said: “I’ve just come in last week and I’ve just been catching up with everything.

“I’ve been told by the owner that the reason for the zero rating is that there was no hot water when the inspectors came down.

“The person who was in charge of the building before didn’t pass on the information, but as soon as it was pointed out, it was sorted.

“The lino on the floor also didn’t meet the corners so that’s been sorted out as well.

“All the owner’s other restaurants have four or fives so I’m going to ask the food hygiene people to come down again and have a bit of chat with me to see if anything else needs doing.”

The owner of Kani, Hama Said said the restaurant is under new management since the ratings were taking and a lot has been changed.

Mr Said said: “It was a long time ago.

“I’ve changed the kitchen, we’ve got new management, we’ve changed everything.

“They’re coming back soon to check it again.”

Even if a restaurant receives a rating of zero or one on multiple occasions in a row, the council cannot close the premises unless there is an ‘imminent risk of health.

A spokesman for Bolton Council said: “If a food business is poor, but if there is no ‘imminent risk’ to health, the council cannot close the premises.

“Criteria for closure could include uncontrolled pest infestation, an outbreak arising from a premises or no running hot water.

“If the council finds there is an imminent risk to public health, often the business will close voluntarily.

“We would then reinspect and make sure changes have been made.

“In certain circumstances, the council will serve a hygiene emergency prohibition notice.

“We will also use other enforcement powers such as service of improvement notices.

“When businesses are given a score of 0, inspectors will also carry out further visits to ensure the most urgent issues have been addressed.”

L&B Restaurant, Feast, and Brunchers were all among the establishments to receive a hygiene rating of one.

A total of 662 establishments fall under the categories of pub, bar or nightclub, restaurant, cafe or canteen and hotel, bed and breakfast or guest house across Bolton.

All hotels and guest houses received a rating of four or above meaning that food hygiene standards are rated as ‘good’.

Most establishments across the board - 72 per cent - were rated four or five meaning that their standards are good or very good.

However, according to the Food Standards Agency as of March 26, 29 establishments require some improvements, receiving a two rating, and 23 require major improvement, receiving one rating.

Of the 662 pubs, clubs, restaurants and hotels, 43 are awaiting inspection and 40 have a new rating pending.

A spokesman for Bolton Council added: “These ratings show that most restaurants, pubs and hotel in Bolton have a rating of 3 or above, and almost three quarters have received a four or five star rating.

“We work closely with businesses, and when they receive low scores, we advise them on how to achieve higher ratings in their next inspections.

“Look out for the sticker in the window to see what rating a premises has or check on the FSA website.” Ends

The data used came from the Food Standards Agency website on March 26.