A KEBAB business in Westcliff insists it has “made changes” after being handed a rating of zero out of five in a food hygiene inspection.

Kebab Express, in London Road, was awarded the lowest possible score by the Food Standards Agency.

This scheme awards businesses a rating from five to zero, with five signifying that hygiene standards are very good, and zero indicating that urgent improvement is required.

According to the report, the inspector discovered that “cleaning is poor” and that there was “no sanitiser on site”.

The food establishment insists they have made amendments since and are awaiting a re-inspection.

Kebab Express was presented a list of issues in a report, seen by the Echo.

The report stated: “Cleaning is poor. Raw meat is stored at the top of fridge, [which is a] cross contamination risk.”

The restaurant was also told to repair a blocked drain.

The inspector also expressed concerns over chopping boards, allergy measures, and the temperatures of holds.

All of these elements required urgent improvements.

A spokesman for Kebab Express told the Echo that “everything is good and clean” and they are waiting for another inspection.

They added: “We are waiting for a re-inspection, and we have made changes and done everything since the last inspection.

“There is nothing wrong. We have lost a lot of business. We hope to have re-inspection soon.”

During a food hygiene inspection, businesses are rated on three categories: hygiene food handling, the cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building, and the management of food safety.

Kebab Express was given a “major improvement necessary” for both the hygiene food handling and the management of food safety.

It received “improvement necessary” for the cleanliness and condition of the facilities and the building.