A LIBRARY cafe in Winchester has been handed a sub-par food hygiene rating.

The cafe at the city's library, The Arc in Jewry Street, was handed the unenviable accolade on October 2 after an inspection by Winchester City Council for the Food Standards Agency.

While hygienic food handling and the management of food safety on the premises were found to be "generally satisfactory", the cleanliness of the facilities and building were rated as "improvement necessary".

READ MORE: Hampshire country pub handed abysmal food hygiene rating

King Charles (then prince) visits The Arc, Winchester, formerly Winchester Discovery Centre (Image: Contributed)The Arc was formerly called The Discovery centre but was re-baptised in 2022 and even received a visit from King (then Prince) Charles.

Of the 234 restaurants, cafes and canteens with ratings in the Winchester district, 198 (85%) have ratings of five and none have zero ratings.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Cultural Trust commented: “We were very disappointed not to have maintained our previous five-star hygiene rating at The Arc. As a result of issues picked up on the day of inspection, we were given a two-star rating, which means that we needed to make some improvements.

“We have acted swiftly, immediately implementing management changes and the report’s recommendations. We have already had a follow-up visit, where the Environmental Health Officer was impressed with the improvements we have made.  We have applied for a re-inspection which will take place imminently and are confident of regaining our five-star rating.”