A Chinese takeaway’s hygiene rating has plummeted following a recent inspection.

New Jade Palace was handed a one-out-of-five hygiene rating following a visit from inspectors on January 2.

But staff are confident their score will improve in due course.

The takeaway on Bridge Road in Woolston was previously awarded the top score – a ‘five’ rating – on July 8 2019.

The recent inspection at the start of this year revealed several areas of weakness.

According to inspectors ‘major improvement’ across three areas is required.

READ MORE: Southampton takeaway drops from five-star to one-star rating

This includes how hygienically food is handled, the condition of the premises, such as cleanliness, and how staff manage and record what they do to ensure food is safe.

Despite concerns raised, a spokesperson for the takeaway said improvements have already been made and are well received by the inspectors.

He said: “I know we dropped to a ‘one’ rating, but unfortunately, the rating has to stay.

“But we can arrange a review in March, and we certainly look forward to do that to get our rating back up again.

“If the environmental officer is happy then we have full confidence.”