Twenty food outlets in West Berkshire were rated below average in Food Standards Agency inspections.
Kokoro, Newbury, and The Catherine Wheel pub both scored two out of five and were told to improve hygienic handling of food - preparation, cooking, re‑heating, cooling and storage - plus cleanliness, the condition of facilities and pest control. Another two-rated venue is the John O'Gaunt Inn on Bridge Street, Hungerford (inspected March).
Newbury Supermarket got the worst possible score of zero at its Bartholomew Street site and has been told to make urgent improvements in how it handles food. It must also put checks in place to ensure food sold or served is safe to eat, show evidence that staff know about food safety, and give the food safety officer confidence standards will be maintained.
Scoring one were Eastern Chef, Gaywood Drive, Newbury; Lotus Off Licence and Convenience Store, Bartholomew Street (inspected in 2024); Spice Lounge, High Street, Theale (inspected January this year); Spice Valley, High Street, Lambourn (inspected last June); and the Angel Inn, Bath Road, Woolhampton (inspected last September).
Also rated two were Holiday Inn Reading West, Bath Road, Padworth (inspected August last year); Best Kebab, High Street, Hungerford (inspected last March); Kebab Korner, 15 Market Place, Newbury (inspected last July); Taj Of India, Cheap Street (inspected last November); Thatcham Tandoori, Unit 6 The Courtyard, The Broadway (inspected last July); Cross Keys, Church Road, Pangbourne (inspected last September); Queens Arms, Newbury Road, East Garston (inspected last July); The Spotted Dog, Gladstone Lane, Cold Ash (inspected last November); The Spring Inn, Bath Road, Sulhamstead (inspected October 2025); and The Village Shop, Wantage Road, Great Shefford (inspected 2024).
Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter
