A NUMBER of South Belfast restaurants and takeaways have left a bad taste in the mouth of food hygiene inspectors, who have warned many require “major improvement”. The site visits by the Food Standards Agency have been taking place over the last year, and many popular local eateries scored dismally, achieving just one or two out of five.

Meanwhile, two businesses in Belfast scored the lowest possible mark – zero stars, and both are located in the south of the city.

The Centra Quick Stop on the Ormeau Road was inspected in January, and was rated zero, which inspectors describe as “urgent improvement necessary”, prompting Centra bosses to demand the store management to clean up their act.

The Four Seasons Chinese restaurant on the Dublin Road also served up a zero rating, following their inspection late last year.

Outlets that scored just one or two points – below the satisfactory mark - meanwhile, include Indian restaurants, sandwich bars, cafes and bakeries scattered across South Belfast.

A local councillor has called for owners to improve hygiene standards immediately.

The Alliance Party’s Cathy Curran said: “We have a great reputation here in South Belfast for the huge selection of food available in restaurants and takeaways, and it’s important we maintain high standards to keep this up.

“Many of these businesses, especially the takeaways have the potential for real growth during tough economic times, as people no longer eat at restaurants as much, but if standards don’t improve this too could suffer. I would call on all those who scored a low rating to make the necessary improvements and keep the hygiene standards up from now on.”

A spokeswoman for Centra NI told this paper that although local stores are independently owned, the firm still expects high standards for shops bearing the Centra name.

“It’s unfortunate that on this occasion the Centra on the Ormeau Road has fallen short of the mark we would expect,” she said.

“We have spoken to the store owner and are committed to supporting him in improving his standards going forward. Hygiene is a priority of focus and we are dedicated to continuous improvement across all our stores.”

No one from the Four Seasons restaurant was available for comment.

Businesses scoring one star out of five, which means “major improvement necessary”:

Amer’s Grill – Lisburn Road

Bombay Brasserie – Lisburn Road

Cook’s Day Today – Ormeau Road

Bangla Bazaar – Ormeau Road

Doorsteps – Botanic Avenue

Bengal Brasserie – Ormeau Road

Businesses scoring two stars out of five, which means “improvement necessary”:

Bamboo House – Lisburn Road

Café Renoir – Botanic Avenue

Archana – Dublin Road

AZN Oriental – Lisburn Road

Drennan’s – University Road

Gaze – Ormeau Road

Camseng International Foods – Lower Windsor Avenue

Clement’s – Lisburn Road

Cargoes – Lisburn Road

Crumb’s Cakes - Lisburn Road

Five Star Fish & Chips – Lisburn Road

Chalco’s – Lisburn Road