A COUNTRY pub has “made vast improvements” after receiving a rating of one out of five for its hygiene standards.

The Mole Inn, in Ramsdell Road, Monk Sherborne, was visited by a food and safety officer on August 2 where it was found that improvements were needed in food handling, and the cleanliness and condition of the building.

The inspector also found that major improvements were needed in the management of food safety.

However, since the inspection, the pub, which re-opened in 2016 after being closed for five years, is believed to have made improvements which have raised its rating.

But due to Food Standards Agency regulations, the pub must wait three months until it can be re-inspected.

However, when The Gazette requested to see a copy of the detailed report into the findings from the first damning inspection, we were told by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council the document could not be released.

Darren Chant, principal environmental health officer at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, said: “We can confirm that the premises was given a food hygiene rating of ‘1 - Major Improvement Necessary’.

“The environmental health team is working with the business to ensure that the deficiencies that we found at the time of the inspection are rectified.

“As the business is currently the subject of an ongoing legal investigation we are unable to release the hygiene report to you at this time.

“However, standards have improved since the inspection and this has allowed the business to continue serving food.”

When The Gazette contacted the Mole Inn, we were informed that vast improvements have been made as well as a deep clean of the premises, which meant food and safety officers were happy with the situation.