THE owner of an independent Hampshire pub has been left overjoyed after his business received the highest possible food hygiene rating.

The Horse and Jockey, on Farnham Road, Hambledon, received a five-out-of-five food hygiene rating after it was assessed on June 28.

Pub manager Stephen Godsave told the Chronicle: “I bought the pub in 2019 and obviously we’ve had Covid in between, and we had an inspection just after and we were due another one after a couple of years.

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“For the inspector to come in and be very impressed with our paperwork and it was a nice pat on the back for them to say, ‘You’re doing a good job’. Because we are independent, we don’t have outside auditors so it is myself who is in charge of everything and the outcome was obviously what we wanted. But it’s nice to know because we’re an independent trader and they come in and appreciate us just like all the big pubs.

“So, me being a one-man band coming in as a five-star is brilliant.”

Other restaurants across the Winchester area have also received new ratings.

The Wickham Montessori School, in Winchester Road, Wickham, also received a five food hygiene rating after it was assessed on July 4.

South Asian takeaway Shaad Kitchen, on Stockbridge Road was assessed on June 23, receiving a four-out-of-five rating, while Country House Restaurant, at Brambridge Park Garden Centre on Kiln Lane, received a three-out-of-five rating after it was assessed on June 20.

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The George and Falcon pub, on Alton Road, Warnford, in the Meon Valley, received also received a three-out-of-five rating after its assessment on June 29.

General manager Simon Thompson said: “Considering how the kitchen was when we took over with the limited equipment at our disposal, we are proud of our three-star rating and we are underway with work to get our four-star rating.

“We cannot thank Winchester City Council enough for the help and support they have given myself and my team.”