The Swindon shops and takeaways rated ZERO for their food hygiene

These ratings are attributed by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) following inspections of the facilities at each business.

Zero out of a possible five is the lowest rating that an institution can be awarded and often shows that major improvement is required to improve the hygiene at the site.

The Adver has put together the five Swindon businesses that are currently rated bottom for food hygiene and listed them here.

Pizzacroft

Pizzacroft, located at 61A Meadowcroft in Stratton St Margaret had an inspection on November 22, 2022.

It was handed a zero rating during the inspection which deemed that urgent improvement was necessary in both the management of food safety and the cleanliness and condition of facilities and building.

The Adver contacted the business and found out that a new owner had taken over the takeaway as recently as Saturday, April 1, 2023, and improvements were being made.

“It is all sorted,” said the previous owner. 

Bailey’s Corner

Bailey's Corner can be found on Cheney Manor Road in Swindon. (Image: Dave Cox)

Although a newsagents, Baileys Corner is still in the rankings due to its sale of food and it was, therefore, open to inspection to the FSA on December 14, 2021.

The business on Cheney Manor Road was handed a zero rating during that inspection, and remains one of Swindon’s lowest ranked business in terms of food hygiene.

The Adver reached out to Bailey’s Corner for comment.

India Bazzar Super Market

India Bazzar was given a zero rating for food hygiene in December of 2021. (Image: Dave Cox)

The only supermarket on this list, India Bazzar Super Market, was given its zero rating following an inspection of its 103 Broad Street premises on December 29, 2021.

Both its hygienic food handling and its cleanliness and condition of facilities and building were proved to be generally satisfactory but it was in other important areas where the business failed.

The business’ management of food safety was deemed by the FSA to require urgent improvement.

After the Adver got in touch with the supermarket, the manager said it “was all under control”.

Baban Restaurant & Takeaway

After being found to be infested with cockroaches, the Baban Restaurant & Takeaway has since closed its doors. (Image: Dave Cox)

Although still being presented as one of the five zero rated businesses in Swindon on the FSA website, Baban Restaurant & Takeaway has since closed.

The inspection on September 28, 2022, eventually resulted in owner Jamal Majed being banned from running any food business during a court hearing in November of 2022.

The eatery, formerly located at 96 Manchester Road, had become infested with cockroaches and Majed represented himself at the hearing because he could not afford a lawyer.

He was moved to tears as he told Judge James Townsend: “I’m really sorry this happened but I can’t change it now.

MJ Kebab & Pizzas

MJ Kebab & Pizza had also been owned by Jamal Majed. (Image: Dave Cox)

Another business that was owned by Jamal Majed, MJ Kebab & Pizzas of Unit 10, Cavendish Square in Whitbourne Avenue, was given the lowest possible hygiene rating following an inspection on October 21, 2022.

The takeaway’s management of food safety was also deemed to be in need of urgent improvement but its cleanliness and condition of facilities were ranked as being generally satisfactory.

This rating had not improved following a previous inspection in January of 2020 which also concluded a zero rating as the health inspectors went to wash their hands they found there was no water at all.

It transpired the water had been cut off the day before by Thames Water over non-payment of bills.

MJ Kebab & Pizzas has since closed following the owner being banned from running any food business.