A once-popular spot for curry lovers in New Milton, Dark Saffron, has quietly closed its doors just months after the restaurant was hit with a one-star hygiene rating. For regulars, the news might not come as a total shock. Still, the abrupt end marks a sad chapter for a place that, for years, promised “authentic Indian cuisine” in the heart of Hampshire.
Dark Saffron had built up a loyal following, thanks to a menu packed with familiar classics and a handful of chef’s specials that locals swore by. Walk by on a Friday night, and you’d usually see the place buzzing. But all that changed this spring, when the Food Standards Agency slapped the restaurant with just one star out of five after a routine inspection. The main issues? “Major improvement necessary” on cleanliness and food safety, according to the official report.
What followed was a familiar story: fewer bookings, quieter weekends, and a stream of negative reviews online. For many, the hygiene rating was a red flag they couldn’t ignore. “We had been regulars, but after seeing the report, we just didn’t feel comfortable going back,” said one New Milton resident. Others echoed the sentiment, describing the rating as a “dealbreaker” in a town where there’s no shortage of competition.
Attempts to reach the owners of Dark Saffron for comment have been unsuccessful. The restaurant’s phone line rings unanswered, and its social media pages have gone dark. A sign in the window simply reads, “Closed until further notice.” There’s been no official explanation—just rumours that the rating, combined with rising costs and dwindling customers, made it impossible to keep going.
It’s not the first time a low hygiene score has spelled trouble for a local eatery. According to data from the Food Standards Agency, restaurants with ratings of one or zero stars are far more likely to close within a year of their inspection. Customers today are quick to check those ratings online, and a single bad report can undo years of goodwill.
For Dark Saffron, the timing couldn’t have been worse. The hospitality sector is already under pressure from higher food prices, staff shortages, and a cautious public still getting used to eating out post-pandemic. Add in a scathing hygiene report, and even the busiest kitchen can empty out overnight.
The closure leaves a gap on Station Road and a few unanswered questions. Will someone else take over the premises? Can Dark Saffron make a comeback under new management? For now, all that remains is a shuttered storefront and a warning for other restaurants: in today’s world, a poor hygiene score isn’t just a slap on the wrist—it’s often the beginning of the end.
If you’re curious about which restaurants are rated safest in the area, it’s always worth checking the Food Standards Agency website before booking a table. In a town where word travels fast, reputation is everything—and, as Dark Saffron learned, it can unravel in a matter of months.
SFBB Pro food safety app can help all restaurant owners maintain a positive hygiene rating to avoid any negative publicity and loss of custom.
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