Polidor, a popular wine and cocktail bar on Liverpool's Lark Lane, has responded after being handed a zero food hygiene rating last month. The venue, which opened in 2019 and underwent a refurbishment in 2024 to enhance its 1960s Parisian vibe, was inspected by environmental health officers from Liverpool City Council on July 2.
Inspection results
The Food Standards Agency update said urgent improvement was necessary in all areas, including hygienic handling of food, cleanliness and condition of facilities and building, and management of food safety.
Owner Rosie Gutmann told the ECHO that the inspection came during a kitchen refurbishment, which disrupted operations. She said: "Polidor underwent a surprise environmental health inspection on July 2 whilst we were undergoing a kitchen renovation. The timing really couldn’t have been much worse, as we were in the middle of works to expand the size of the kitchen. The temporary disruption caused by the works meant that we weren’t complying with the regulations at that moment."
Rectification and reopening
Gutmann added that after the inspection, the venue closed for a few days to complete the works and fix all issues raised. The environmental health officer returned and was satisfied with the improvements. "We are now awaiting a follow-up assessment and have every confidence we will receive the high hygiene rating we always held," she said.
Food hygiene regulations are legal rules governing how food must be handled, prepared, stored, and sold. In the UK, these are enforced by local councils and overseen by the Food Standards Agency.
