Grilling for diners

10:53am Friday 16th May 2008

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Dozens of Hertsmere food outlets have fallen foul of an innovative point scoring system which allows diners to know the hygiene standards of restaurants before they eat.

Hertsmere Borough Council published the Scores on the Doors results of inspections of more than 200 eateries since April 2006 for the first time this week.Restaurants, cafés, takeaways and pubs have been graded according to their levels of hygiene and safety, the highest score being five stars and the lowest zero. Each premises receives a certificate that states its score, but no certificate will be given for no stars.Of the 218 outlets, only two, in Potters Bar, received the highest grade. But 79 premises were given no stars. Of these, 21 were in Borehamwood, 12 in Radlett, five in Elstree, two in Shenley and one in Aldenham.The café at Tesco in Shenley Road was one that failed to gain any stars.A Tesco spokesman said: "This is very disappointing. We'll take the feedback on board and make the necessary changes."Debbie Pearson, landlady of the Artichoke Pub, which also received no points in its inspection last year, said: "Obviously I am really disappointed. We only took over the pub a year ago and refurbished the kitchen spending £20,000."I don't know how they got these results. I think it is a little unfair, one of the things listed was commenting on some plastering in the entrance and I don't see how that affects the kitchen. But everything listed in the report has now been addressed."Among the others without any points were Bengiamino restaurant, in Shenley Road, the Black Lion pub, in London Road, Shenley, and the Waggon and Horses pub, in Watling Street, Elstree.Some which fared much better, gaining four stars, included Domino's Pizza and Greggs the bakers, both in Shenley Road, and Mirzan, in Aycliffe Road.Andrew Savage, Greggs managing director, said: "We are extremely proud to have been awarded four stars. As many of our products are freshly made in-store every day, all our staff are fully trained to maintain a strict food and personal hygiene standard."Erdal Olcay, owner of Mirzan restaurant, said: "We have been here for the past nine months, and in that time have made sure all our staff carefully follow hygiene and safety standards."We are still in the progress of improving further, so hopefully we can reach the full five stars in the near future. I believe it is very good for the customers and the food industry. "This way standards can be kept high and everyone will be happy."The ratings are based on three criteria. First, hygiene practice and procedures, which include points such as how raw and cooked meat is stored.Secondly, structural conditions, which looks at the physical state of the building, including cleanliness and maintenance. The third criteria is confidence in management. That section includes the history of complaints and the willingness of the manager to comply and improve where necessary.But it is not compulsory for owners to display their certificates.A council spokeswoman said: "The Scores on the Doors scheme aims to improve food hygiene standards and give residents a more informed choice about where to eat based on food hygiene conditions."Environmental health officers give food businesses a star rating as part of their food safety inspection which follows the Food Standards Agency's code of practice. Making the results public will encourage those who score badly to improve their standards."Environmental health officers carry out routine checks on an on-going basis. Scores will be updated on the authority's website on a monthly basis.The Scores on the Doors scheme has been successfully piloted in other parts of the country, including Hull, Brighton and Luton.

• To check the full list of eateries, visit hertsmere.gov.uk