A Swindon church says it is “grateful” for the inspectors who awarded it a one-star food hygiene rating.

Pattern Church, based in a historic Great Western Railway warehouse opposite the Outlet Centre on Penzance Drive, received the second-lowest rating after a July 30 inspection.

A rating of one means that major improvement is necessary. While the Grade II listed building’s structural compliance was “very good” and the food hygiene and safety were “generally satisfactory”, it was the confidence in management which dragged it down, with “major improvement necessary”.

The Anglican church recognised a need for improvements to its record-keeping.

A Pattern Church spokesperson said: “We had a routine food hygiene inspection in July and the environmental health team have given us further advice on how to improve our record keeping. Vicar Joe Sales on the slide at the Pattern Church, which was bought by the Diocese of Bristol in 2018

In a move of reconciliation, they added: “We're grateful for how they support and advise voluntary organisations like us who are seeking to serve our community.”

The “confidence in management” category includes the business’s willingness to act upon previous advice, its attitude towards improving standards, and its use of a satisfactory food safety management system.

Pattern Church says it “isn’t your typical church hall” and is equipped with a spiral slide and has a kitchen available for private hire.