Bicester village restaurant slams ‘unfair’ low food hygiene rating

Grand Village Imperial, in unit E4 on Kelso Road in Bicester, was given the low food hygiene rating after a visit by inspectors in June.

But Raymond Chu, the owner of the Chinese restaurant, said the score does not accurately reflect the standards the restaurant maintains and they are appealing the process.

Mr Chu said they “also concerned that the inspection may not have been conducted impartially” and that the score is “unfair”.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire coffee factory refuses to return worker plaques

The Lion Dance at the Grand Village Imperial in Bicester (Image: David Chu)

He said: “As our appeal has already been submitted and is currently awaiting a response, we understand that the hygiene rating should not have been published until the appeal process has been concluded.”

Indeed on the government website it confirms that if a business appeals the rating within 21 days, the council should not publish it online.

The restaurant was told improvement was necessary in hygienic food handling and the cleanliness and conditions of the building.

Bicester Village (Image: Contributed)

The business was also told major improvement was necessary in the management of food safety.

This means the systems or checks in place to ensure that food sold or served is safe to eat, evidence that staff know about food safety, and the food safety officer has confidence that standards will be maintained in future.

The business is a beloved part of the shopping centre with customers regularly advising shoppers to book in advance and highlighting the fantastic service, food, and generous portions of food.