An Italian restaurant in Princes Risborough that was handed a one-out-of-five food hygiene rating in June has upped the score to an impressive four-out-of-five – thanks to a hefty investment in staff training and facilities.

Villa Bianca on Bell Street was given the low score at the beginning of June after an inspector found dirty equipment and unsafe food storage practices during a surprise visit.

In a reinspection on July 30, however, the officer was sufficiently impressed by the improvements made to increase the rating to a respectable four-out-of-five stars, indicating an overall ‘good’ health and safety status.

Muki Ramazoti, who bought Villa Bianca just before the pandemic and runs it in a partnership with a fellow Sicilian chef, said his priority had always been “serving people in the area” and demonstrating a passion for traditional Italian food.

The 47-year-old has lived locally for over 20 years and described Princes Risborough as “a small, village-like town where everyone knows each other” – something that has, in the past, helped to keep the family-run business “chock-a-block” with regular customers.

The low hygiene rating was a setback, he admits – “one of those things that happen” – but added that the costs of improving the restaurant ahead of the reinspection had totalled between £7,000 and £8,000. 

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He said: “The main criticism the inspector had was that some members of staff had lapsed their level two safety certificates, a course which needs to be retaken every three years – those staff redid the course in July, and all passed.

“There was also criticism that the floor was worn out and the fridges were old, so we closed the restaurant for a day and had new flooring fitted to the kitchen and brand-new fridges installed.

“It was frustrating because we really take pride in everything we do, and I’d been hoping for a five-out-of-five score after the second inspection. We did everything we were told to.”

Marco, a waiter at the restaurant, which has an average Google rating of 4.5, said that while business had gone down since the one-star rating, diners have begun to return since the four-star sticker was posted in the window.

He said he was grateful locals in Princes Risborough would now be able to resume their enjoyment of its “good food and good service” after the inspection blip.

Adding: “There were safety issues, and we addressed them, and now we’re back to normal.”