Food for thought
07 December 2006
 |
| Double trouble for no-star Frydays and Choto Chef |
MORE restaurants and bakeries across Stevenage and Mid Beds have been branded as "poor" in the latest round of food hygiene inspections.
New results from the Scores on the Doors scheme, which is operated by both Mid Beds District Council and Stevenage Borough Council, show 14 more businesses have been given no stars.
This rating means an establishment was found to have poor conditions, with some major non-compliance with food legislation.
In Stevenage, Jade Palace in Middle Row, Best Pizza in Filey Close and Lets Wok in Wedgewood Gate were among the businesses given no stars.
 |
| No stars for the Jade Palace in Middle Row, Stevenage Old Town |
Gunns Bakery in Sandy and the Crown Hotel in High Street, Biggleswade, were among the zero-scoring establishments in Mid Beds.
After a business has been given the low rating, it is visited again between seven and 21 days later to ensure standards have improved, but the nil rating remains until the next scheduled inspection.
Lee, from Lets Wok, said: "They came at the wrong times, we weren't ready."
Alison Bigot, owner of Beego's Sandwich Bar in Biggleswade High Street, which also got no stars, said: "We invited the environmental health officer back a few days later and she found everything in order."
However, some businesses and schools are celebrating success in the Scores on the Doors scheme.
Pizza Hut on the Roaring Meg Retail Park in Stevenage and St Vincent De Paul School, Ashtree JMI School and Trotts Hill JMI School in the town all got five stars.
Five star ratings were less common in Mid Beds, with only Fiona Trebbeck, from Jackson Place, Chicksands getting the top score.
Beth Kirwan, head teacher of Ashtree JMI School, said: "We're very pleased to have recognition of our high standards."
The scheme has been hailed as a "considerable success" by Mid Beds District Council.
A spokesman said: "It gives people the opportunity, if they so wish, to make an informed decision on where they eat, based on prior knowledge of good hygiene and management practice at a particular establishment.
Richard Henry, executive councillor for environment and e-government at Stevenage Borough Council said: "Businesses that score a zero rating are given a list of areas that need to be addressed. However, this doesn't necessarily mean that it is unsafe for people to eat in these premises. The rating is a reflection of the confidence we have in their management and the conditions found on the day of the inspection - standards may have gone up or down since."
North Hertfordshire District Council does not currently operate the Scores on the Doors scheme.
Share or bookmark this with...
All original material on this page, unless specified by another URL, is the property of Archant and may not be reproduced without permission. Click here to find out more...