A PIZZA takeaway in Wokingham might have to shut down less than two months after it opened.
This comes after Pizza Mavis, on Peach Street, was given a zero food hygiene rating by council safety chiefs - a rating which "completely destroyed" its owner.
READ MORE: Pizza express renovated despite closure warnings
Despite receiving the lowest possible score, the eatery was rated ‘good’ for its food hygiene and safety and ‘good’ for its structural compliance.
But WBC bosses had ‘no confidence in management’, meaning the pizza place scored zero overall.
Pizza Mavis owner Reza Nourani told the News: “Two weeks after it opened it was brilliant, everyone said the food was brilliant, they said it was amazing pizza.
“It (the rating) destroyed me, it completely destroyed me.
“A lot of people have been put off by it.”
Pizza Mavis was awarded a ‘zero’ food hygiene rating by Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) inspectors in September, just a week after it opened.
This score has now been upgraded to a one, meaning ‘major improvement is necessary’, but the updated rating from zero to one means WBC now has 'little confidence in management.'
READ MORE: New pizza plan angers neighbours
Mr Nourani said the inspector rated the confidence in management criteria poorly because he did not have hard copies of required documents to hand.
He told the News his business relied heavily on Just Eat orders, but now the purchases have dried up since the rating was revealed.
The business might be forced to close in the next four weeks if customers stay away from the takeaway.
Mr Nourani added: “I spent two months and £70,000 on this place. It is already down the drain.”
A Wokingham Borough Council spokesperson said: “Wokingham Borough Council supports the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA), Food Hygiene Rating Scheme.
“The criteria for the scheme is set out in the Brand Standard, which is produced by the FSA. Designated officers have regard to this and other guidance when inspecting food businesses.
“Officers will work with businesses to help them achieve the best rating they can, providing a signposting service to nationally recognised food safety management materials.
NOW READ: Papa John's, Dominos and Pizza Hut set up next to each other in Wokingham
“More information and supporting documents can be found within the Public Protection Partnership website, as well as on the FSA webpages.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel