A POPULAR pub nestled in the village of Cwmcarn which has live music has been awarded a five-hygiene rating.

The Fork and Tune in Cwmcarn Hotel opened in 2019 to a grand opening as Benji Webbe, of Skindred, and co-owner Vinny Franco cut the ribbon.

The independent venue which is decked out with a stage, has a bar and restaurant and accommodation.

The Fork and Tune on Newport Road is also available for private hire and is open Thursday – Saturday from 4pm-10.30pm and Sunday from 12-5.30pm.

The pub has now been awarded a five-food hygiene rating of very good, the highest rating you can get after an inspection on September 28, 2023.

The Food Hygiene Rating Act 2013 became law in Wales on March 4, 2013, requiring all businesses selling food in Wales - including pubs, cafes, restaurants, hotels, takeaways, schools, hospitals, canteens, care homes and corner shops – to display hygiene ratings in a prominent place, and to provide the information verbally if requested over the phone.

Inspections are carried out by the local authority officers, and ratings - from zero, meaning urgent improvement is necessary or they may risk closure; to five, meaning standards are excellent - are updated on the FSA website. Businesses have the right to appeal against ratings.

The three areas assessed are:

  • Hygiene - how food is prepared, cooked, re-heated, cooled and stored.

  • The condition of the structure of the buildings – including the cleanliness of kitchens, the layout, whether there is safe lighting and appropriate ventilation.

  • Food safety - including record-keeping on how food is kept safe.

Inspectors found the hygienic food handling and the management of food safety to be of a very good standard.

Whilst the cleanliness and condition of the facilities and building were given a rating of good.