A food outlet in Oxford has dramatically improved its cleanliness record after previously receiving the worst possible rating for food hygiene.

The venue on Cowley Road operates under the name Exprizza and Desi Grill, serving various quick-service meals including grilled items, pizzas and burgers.

Inspectors from Oxford City Council’s Environmental Health department visited the takeaway and eat-in establishment on Thursday, February 19.

The investigators discovered serious issues requiring prompt action, according to official records.

This led to the venue being awarded zero out of five stars for food hygiene.

One major problem uncovered at the Cowley Road premises concerned food safety management systems, which also demanded immediate attention.

This element evaluates whether proper procedures and observation systems exist to ensure meals served do not present health dangers.

It also checks whether workers show understanding of food safety measures and whether inspectors can be confident standards will be maintained going forward.

Since that assessment, the business has achieved a notable improvement, obtaining four out of five after a subsequent inspection.

When asked about the new rating, a manager told this newspaper the team spent two weeks working hard to resolve the problems.

They have now received a four-star hygiene rating, and the experience has been valuable for the staff members, who have treated it very seriously.

Customers can feel confident that workers are committed to maintaining these higher standards going forward and will continue striving to keep this rating.

Previously, the manager, who has managed the venue for several years, expressed frustration after the original assessment.

They said the only explanation given in the report for the poor mark related to minor external building work.

The rating came as a surprise since no infestations, droppings or similar issues were present, they noted.

Only some exterior tiles and minor painting were needed, purely external work.

An appeal has been submitted and a follow-up inspection is expected, which the manager approaches with optimism because independent assessors have already awarded a four-star rating.

Previous scores had always been fives, so the earlier result was genuinely disappointing.

Official records on the Food Standards Agency website indicate that anyone wishing to see the food safety officer’s report supporting this rating can obtain it from the council that carried out the inspection.

This can be done by sending an email to the address shown.

In some cases, the council may decide it cannot provide a copy of the report, but will communicate this decision and give a reason why.