The team said “we understand that an apology alone is not enough”
Indian takeaway from Holdi restaurant in Woolton Village. Onion bhajis and lamb and peas samosas(Image: Amy Browne)
One of Liverpool’s best-loved Indian restaurants has said it is “genuinely disappointed” after receiving a zero food hygiene rating from health inspectors, admitting it has fallen short of the standards customers expect. Holdi, based on Woolton Street in Woolton, was given the lowest possible score following an inspection by Liverpool City Council environmental health officers on September 14.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the restaurant apologised to its “valued customers” and said it took “full responsibility”, adding that it was committed to making the necessary improvements.
The statement reads: “We would like to address our recent food hygiene rating openly and honestly with full transparency. First and foremost, we are genuinely disappointed with the outcome, and we take full responsibility for the areas in which we fell short. We know that many of you expect the very best from The Holdi, and we understand that this result will have disappointed you.
“We recognise that maintaining the highest standards of food hygiene, cleanliness, food safety and record-keeping is not optional. It is a responsibility we take extremely seriously.”
The restaurant also said it was disappointed by comments in the inspection report that questioned confidence in its management, noting that it had consistently maintained a five-star hygiene rating over the years.
It added: “We understand that an apology alone is not enough. What matters most is what we do next and the standards we maintain every single day. We are committed to ensuring that the necessary improvements are implemented and maintained, rather than treating them as a one-off response to an inspection.
Hollyoaks stars at opening of new Woolton Village eaterie, Holdi Indian bar
“We are not sharing this information to make excuses or shift blame. The responsibility ultimately lies with us, and this is surely an experience we will learn from. Our goal is to regain our five-star hygiene rating and, more importantly, consistently deliver the standards our customers deserve.”
The ECHO previously reported that the owner, Najer Hossain, said electrical problems were among the main reasons for the poor rating. These issues led the restaurant to obtain a generator, which also experienced difficulties. You can read more about the inspection and the owner’s response here.
The zero rating marks a setback for a restaurant that has built a strong following in Liverpool since opening in 2012. Holdi has won several awards over the years, including best Indian cuisine at the Liverpool Lifestyle Awards in 2016 and 2017, and has attracted a number of well-known names from the worlds of television, film and sport.
Get the latest updates on where to go, what to do and what’s new across Merseyside and beyond by making us a preferred source. Click here to activate or add us as a preferred source in your Google search settings.
Soap stars from Hollyoaks and Coronation Street have visited the restaurant, while Hollywood actor Elijah Wood and his Lord of the Rings co-star Billy Boyd also dined there during a visit to the city for Comic Con. Elijah reportedly told staff it was the “best Indian he had ever had”.
Football figures including Anthony Gordon, Harvey Elliott and Sean Dyche have also been known to frequent the restaurant, while UFC star Paddy Pimblett is another fan.
Pimblett was recently pictured with staff at Holdi after enjoying a meal with friends earlier in September, just days before the environmental health inspection.
According to the Food Standards Agency website, Holdi received a food hygiene rating of zero out of five, with the report stating that “urgent improvement is necessary”.
Dining and Cooking