A popular Marlow restaurant has had its “very good” food hygiene score reinstated after being given a poor rating due to labelling issues.

Villa D’Este, on Chapel Street, which has been in the town for 30 years, was given a one food hygiene rating – meaning major improvement necessary – when the eatery was inspected by food safety officers last year.

The Italian restaurant featured in a list of 60 restaurants with the worst hygiene ratings revealed by the Bucks Free Press earlier this month. 

However, restaurant owner, Fabio Terrinoni, blamed food labelling issues for their poor rating but says they have now been corrected.

He said: “We had a one hygiene rating because we didn’t comply with regulations. They changed the rules and we didn’t know about it.

“We had an issue with labelling. Every other inspector before said we didn’t need to do it. But now the labelling has to be done so we do it.

“The inspectors used to give us time to re-adjust after an inspection but now they come and give you the rating straight away.

“It was very upsetting. They threw the book at us – it was very unfair. People think it is because we are dirty or have rats or the fridges are dirty but it is not the case. My chef is very clean. Our food is all freshly made.”

The family-run restaurant was re-inspected on February 8 and was re-awarded a five for food hygiene – meaning “very good.”

Mr Terrinoni said: “We have always had five hygiene rating. We are the oldest establishment in Marlow, we have clients from 30 years ago. I have always been here serving the community - we have had a lot of support from the town.

“Another inspector has decided we should have our five rating reinstated. We are happy to have the rating back.”

Simon Farr, a spokesman for Wycombe District Council, said they take food hygiene ratings “very seriously” and reminded business owners that it is their responsibility to comply with food safety requirements.

He said: “We do not comment on specific cases, other than to confirm that a re-inspection of Villa D’Este was requested and has taken place.

“The council carries out inspections at more than 1100 registered food businesses and gives a food hygiene rating to over 900 businesses to reflect food hygiene, the cleanliness of the facilities and the upkeep of management systems, including staff training.

“Businesses do not receive a low rating simply for failures in their paperwork but for significant failings in management and/or food hygiene practices and/or conditions. Food safety regulatory requirements have not changed since the scheme was launched in the Wycombe district in 2012.

"Although the regulations were updated in 2013, they simply consolidated two existing regulations and made them specific to England as part of devolution.”