A Tooting chicken shop has been given the lowest possible food hygiene rating by inspectors.

Peri Peri Original in Mitcham Road was visited by food safety inspectors in early February, and was rated zero out of five, meaning it needs “urgent improvement” to meet acceptable standards.

Of the three categories eateries are judged on, “major improvements” need to be taken in two.

These are “hygienic food handling”, which includes preparation, storage and cooking, and “management of food safety”, which covers systems and checks to make sure that food is safe to eat.

In the third category – “cleanliness and condition of building” – a less severe rating of “improvements necessary” was given.

The rating is supposed to give a snapshot of how restaurants are doing in these areas, for members of the public to be able to check.

But in England, unlike in Northern Ireland and Wales, the establishment does not legally have to display its rating.

The Food Standards Agency website says: “Businesses which are given low ratings must make urgent or major improvements to hygiene standards.

“The food safety officer will tell the business how quickly these improvements must be made and this will depend on the type of issue that needs to be addressed.”

Peri Peri Original could not be reached over the phone before publication.

If you run the restaurant and want to give your side of the story, please email calum.rutter@reachplc.com