The Ship Inn at Middlestone, on Low Row, Middlestone, was told major improvement is necessary by food safety officers following an inspection on November 27.
The traditional country pub – hailed for its views over the Cleveland Hills and “delicious” Sunday lunches – was ranked ‘major improvement necessary’ in its management of food safety.
This inspection category looks at staff food safety knowledge and checks in place to ensure food served is safe to eat.
Meanwhile, the cleanliness and condition of the facilities and building (having an appropriate layout, ventilation, hand washing facilities and pest control) and the hygienic food handling (food preparation, cooking, re-heating, cooling, and storage) were rated as ‘improvement necessary’.
A spokesperson told The Northern Echo that there is a schedule of work to complete before Durham County Council returns to rescore the premises.
This work will include the removal of old obsolete fixed equipment, which was “preventing deep cleaning by lack of access”.
Bosses hope it will return to a four or five-star rating once this is completed.
With a 4.6 star rating on Google, The Ship Inn has been praised online for being a “very traditional” pub with a true “local feel”.
One customer said: “Just took my boys here for a lovely lunch. The food was amazing and the lady behind the bar and the locals were all really friendly. Looking forward to our next visit.”
Another added: “Absolutely blown away by this local find. Fabulous hospitality, delicious home-cooked food and so reasonably priced.
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“Such a lovely feel to the place with open fire and only 5 mins from where we live.
“We will definitely be returning.”
The Northern Echo has asked Durham County Council for the full food hygiene report.