A PUB near Colden Common under investigation due to a “rat infestation” has a received a new food hygiene rating.

A recent report from environmental health chiefs, who inspected the Queen’s Head, gave it a score of 4 out of 5.

During a visit by the public health watchdog in June officers found open rodent traps in the kitchen posing a risk of food contamination.

Similarly, the kitchen was operational when there was a known rodent infestation with positive sightings of rodents in the food preparation area.

But following the pub’s inspection on October 14 it scored a rating of four or “good”.

The revisit showed good standards of hygiene and compliance with legal obligations and industry codes of recommended practice.

In a recent Facebook post, head chef Geoff Day claimed the one-star rating was due to the fact the pub had a major rat issue in the area that was unavoidable, along with major mistakes made by pest control.

Geoff added: “I’m taking this chance to try to bring people back to this wonderful place.

“I’m deeply passionate about the pub and about making customers happy, and also feel it has great potential.

“I’m aware people have had a terrible food experience in the past and I wish for everyone to give us a second chance. We have a brand new menu recently brought in last month and I wish people would come in and give it a go. We also do a lovely Sunday roast that I would recommend.”

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