THE owners of a newly-transformed pub have slammed a low-scoring food hygiene rating as ‘incorrect’.

The Barrow Arms on Cavendish Street was handed a one out of five rating by Food Standards Agency inspectors.

The pub, which was previously a late-night boozer, underwent a £25,000 refurbishment project in June in a bid to transform the building into a family-friendly gastropub.

The team have all made the switch from the Cavendish Arms in Cartmel, where the new landlord and landlady Michael and Livia Ion worked as head chef and bartender.

They were also joined from the Cartmel pub by Mr Donaldson and chef Sam Hickey.

However, Mr Donaldson explained their food hygiene score ‘did not reflect the quality of the business now’.

He said: “The inspector came round when we were just about to shut down to have a new refurb.

“We said the pub wasn’t really in a state to be reviewed but they still went ahead.”

Pub landlord Michael Ion believes their next inspection will gain the pub a five out of five rating.

“We have invested a lot of money in this place so we’re hoping for a good score,” he said.

“We’ve completely transformed the building into a family-friendly pub and are always trying our best to improve.”

Mr Ion revealed the results of their latest hygiene inspection will be issued in the next few weeks.

Barrow Borough spokesman for licensing Tony Callister said: “I’d be a little bit disappointed if common sense wasn’t taken in conducting a rating during a business undergoing renovation works.

“Hopefully a further inspection should actually represent the business.”