AN AWARD-WINNING Aberdyfi hotel with an AA Rosette has been handed a shock food hygiene rating of zero — but the manager says flooding on inspection day is to blame.

The Penhelig Arms, regarded as one of the region’s foremost hotel and restaurants, received the rating after the Food Standards Agency visited the premises on 2 December.

Businesses that are given ratings of ‘0’ or ‘1’ are required to make major improvements to their hygiene standards.

The Brains-owned Penhelig Arms (seen above right) was named Hotel/Restaurant of the Year for mid Wales in the Food Awards Wales in May 2015.

It is also the proud bearer of an AA Rosette and a ‘certificate of excellence’ from Tripadvisor.

Phil Thomas, general manager of the Penhelig Arms, said: “The kitchen was flooded on the day of the inspection hence our zero rating. We all know how bad the weather has been of late, especially around here.

“The entire hotel has been closed since last Sunday for renovation work and is due to re-open at the end of the month.”

Mr Thomas added: “We are planning to have a new inspection from the Food Standards Agency as soon as we’re open so we can get our rating back to its usual high standard.”

Gareth Roberts, operations manager for Brains, which owns the hotel, said: “We are currently completing some significant improvement works to the Penhelig Arms which will see the installation of waterproof tanking and upgrades to our kitchen.”

See full story in this week’s Meirionnydd edition of the Cambrian News