A BUSINESS owner has spoken out after their takeaway was given a zero hygiene rating.

Mahin Miah, manager at Bangla Lounge on Cavendish Street has criticised the decision by the Food Standards Agency to give the takeaway such a low score.

He said: “I don’t understand why they have given us this rating.

“When the inspectors came they gave us a list of things to improve and we agreed they would come back in a weeks time.

“We did everything they asked us to in order to improve.

“When they returned, they told us everything was fine, so I don’t understand why they have now given us a zero rating.”

Bangla Lounge was found to require major improvement in all three areas assessed by inspectors - hygienic food handling, cleanliness and condition of facilities and building and management of food safety.

The takeaway was one of three in Barrow to be given a zero rating, the other two being Punjab Express on Crellin Street and Pizzarella on the Promenade.

Both were found lacking in hygienic food handling and management of food safety.

The reaction comes after inspections carried out in October and November were validated and food hygiene ratings published highlighting the three takeaways as needing improvement.

Mr Miah was not the only business owner to criticise their rating.

Sal and Kerry Sefil, owners of Pizzarella, also hit out at rating process labelling it “unfair”.

They claimed to have made all the changes requested and were told “everything was fine.”

Food hygiene bosses at Barrow Borough Council defended the rating process from the criticism by Mr and Mrs Sefil. They said the couple had “ample time to ensure that they were meeting their obligations to produce safe food”.

John Murphy, Barrow Borough Councillor and Official Spokesperson for Leisure and Tourism, said : "Health and safety is of the upmost importance.

"The system is set up nationally and expect a high standards.

"I support the demand for high standards of cleanliness and safety in our takeaways.

"It's the very least a business should offer and those not offering it should be shut down until they can make the standard required."