Telford’s newly-launched Scores on the Doors website, which gives star ratings to establishments over food hygiene, has been a massive success with the public.
The website, which covers hundreds of food outlets, saw more than 23,000 “hits” in the first few weeks of operation as people logged on discover the status of particular centres, ranging from hospital restaurants to local pubs and supermarket cafes.
Not everyone has been blown away by the scheme, however, with several licensees angrily protesting that they were being penalised by the system.
Landlords complained they had agreed to costly improvements at the time of inspection - only to find the council publishing a low grading based on that original examination and not on a return visit.
Telford & Wrekin Council said the website statistics showed the Scores on the Doors s scheme - introduced to drive up standards in food hygiene and safety - had been a huge hit with the public.
The website - www.telford.gov.uk/scoresonthedoors - lists premises across the borough which have been inspected by environmental health officers and given a rating ranging from the lowest zero star to top five stars.
Of the 14 five star premises, two are pubs and these have reported a significant increase in trade as a result of their ratings being published, the council said.
Ian Mercer, environmental health business manager, said: “The whole purpose in introducing this scheme was to drive up standards in food hygiene and safety and also to give the public the opportunity to make an informed choice about where they eat or buy food.
“This has been a success. The website has been swamped with hits and we have been inundated with compliments about the scheme.
“The scheme is extremely beneficial to all. The vast majority of businesses listed so far are performing over and above the minimum requirements - two stars means they are meeting legal requirements.
“Many businesses that have achieved above this are reaping the benefits and those below, will be getting help from environmental health to improve until they meet the necessary standards.”
Scores on the Doors rates all food businesses, from restaurants, pubs and takeaways to care homes and private caterers.
Nearly 80 councils run similar food hygiene rating systems with results published online and Telford & Wrekin’s site secured 10 per cent of the hits nationwide in its first month.
Councillor Jacqui Seymour, cabinet member for adult and consumer care, said: “Any business with a zero star rating is moved onto a cycle of inspections every six months by our Environmental Health officers.”
