PUB bosses Graham Thomson and Lincoln Goodwin are determined to turn their Pewsey pub around after receiving a zero food hygiene rating.

They have spoken of their disappointment that The Seven Stars in Gores Lane, Bottlesford, has been deemed by inspectors from the Food Standards Agency as needing urgent improvement.

But the business partners are stressing to customers the majority of the failings lie with lack of documentation which has now been addressed and are inviting the inspectors back to review the score.

“We hold our hands up and we made mistakes,” said Mr Thomson, 57, who has been head chef for nearly two years and previously ran Thomsons Wine Bar and Deli in Pewsey.

“It was not a case of rats running around, but we had pots of food open, a couple of out-of-date items in the fridge that were never going on the menu and we were down to two people in the kitchen for a period of two months as I broke my ankle.

“But I do not believe we caused peril to any of our customers. The fact is if you do not have the documentation in place you are not going to get more than one, but it is not an excuse.

“Have we rectified the situation? Yes. The place is back up and clean.”

According to the Food Standards Agency, businesses that score zero are likely to be performing poorly in the three areas food safety officers inspect – how hygienically food is prepared, cooked, re-heated, cooled and stored; the cleanliness, layout, lighting and ventilation of the building and systems in place to make sure food is safe for consumption.

Mr Goodwin, 50, who served in the Navy and lives in North Newnton, has been the leaseholder of the pub since 2011 which has 17 employees. He previously ran the Woodbridge Inn.

He added: “Our Trip Advisor reviews are testament to the high regard in which we are held by our customers.

“A traditional, 400-year-old thatched country inn such as ours was never designed with a star rating in mind, and as such the inspection has also identified some other issues that could be improved, particularly with regard to the fabric of the building.

“In the meantime we will continue to offer all our customers a warm welcome, excellent food and great local beers in a traditional country pub environment."