Portchester Hotel Receives Critical 1/5 Food Hygiene Rating

Portchester, GB – The Roundabout Hotel, located on Wallington Shore Road in Fareham, has been hit with a stark 1 out of 5 food hygiene rating following a recent inspection by environmental health officers. The low score signifies that "major improvement necessary" is required across several key areas of food safety and handling.

Inspection Findings Detail Significant Concerns

The inspection, which took place on December 10, 2025, revealed a critical situation within the hotel's food service operations. Inspectors noted that substantial improvements were needed in both the hygiene of food handling practices and the overall management of food safety protocols. While the report indicated that the cleanliness and condition of the hotel's facilities, including layout, ventilation, and pest control measures, were "generally satisfactory," the core issues surrounding food safety were deemed insufficient.

Hotel Management Responds to Rating

Adrian Askew, the manager of The Roundabout Hotel, has issued a public apology and provided a detailed explanation for the disappointing rating. He acknowledged the score as "unacceptable" and stated that immediate steps are being taken to rectify the identified problems. Mr. Askew highlighted a series of unfortunate circumstances that contributed to the critical assessment.

The Fridge Breakdown and Its Ramifications

According to Mr. Askew, the hotel's main walk-in fridge malfunctioned just five days prior to the environmental health officer's (EHO) visit. An emergency fridge was immediately procured to store perishables while repairs were pending. However, due to space limitations in the smaller emergency unit, certain items like bread, UHT cream, tomatoes, and eggs were retained in the faulty walk-in fridge. Mr. Askew pointed out that despite being above the required temperature for perishables, the broken fridge did maintain a low temperature due to the cold weather and its proximity to the freezer.

Delayed Repairs and Unforeseen Deliveries

The situation was further complicated by repeated assurances from the fridge engineer that repairs would be completed within 24 hours, assurances that were not met on two separate occasions. In the interim, the hotel's owner and manager, who is part of a family business, had planned to take a holiday before the Christmas rush. Based on the expectation that the fridge would be operational, uncooked items such as meat were ordered for preparation to be delivered after their departure.

Inadvertent Storage and Food Disposal

The final contributing factor, for which Mr. Askew takes full responsibility, was the inadvertent placement of the newly delivered uncooked items into the still-unrepaired broken fridge. The inspection occurred a day and a half later, at which point all food found to be above the safe temperature had to be disposed of. Mr. Askew expressed his sincere apologies for this oversight and reiterated the hotel's commitment to working harder to achieve a higher score.

Rectification and Future Outlook

Mr. Askew concluded by emphasizing that the severity of the low score was attributable to these short-term, albeit significant, issues that have now been addressed. The hotel is reportedly focused on implementing corrective measures to ensure compliance with food safety standards and regain a satisfactory hygiene rating. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of robust maintenance and contingency planning in the food service industry, particularly when dealing with temperature-sensitive products.

This development will undoubtedly be of concern to local residents and visitors to Portchester, who rely on establishments adhering to strict food safety regulations. The hotel's proactive apology and stated commitment to improvement will be closely watched as they work to rebuild confidence and rectify the issues highlighted by the environmental health inspection.