HALTON Borough Council has broken its silence after a pub in Widnes was slapped with a shocking food hygiene rating of zero.

The Cookhouse Pub and Kitchen received the poor score following an inspection from the Food Standards Agency.

The council has confirmed that the eatery has remained open since the score was issued, but that it is satisfied with the progress it has made.

In terms of the management of food safety and cleanliness and condition of facilities and building, inspectors found that major improvement was necessary at The Cookhouse Pub and Kitchen.

They also said that improvement was necessary in the hygienic food handling category.

Halton Borough Council said that following the zero-star score, it has been in regular contact with the pub’s management and it is satisfied with the progress made.

A spokesperson told the Runcorn and Widnes World: "The Council can confirm that the Cookhouse Pub and Kitchen in Widnes received a zero-star hygiene rating following a food hygiene inspection by the Council’s environmental health department in July 2024.

"Following the inspection a detailed report was sent to the management setting out the findings of the inspection and the action that needs to be taken to ensure compliance with food hygiene requirements.

"The council has been in regular contact with the pub's management and has revisited the premises on a number of occasions.

"The council is currently satisfied that progress has been made to address the inspection findings.

"The score of zero remains in place until a formal re-inspection takes place.
"The premises was not closed down and has remained trading since the inspection."