Two c-stores in Redcar and Cleveland require ‘major improvement’ after hygiene rating of one

Council chiefs say 98 per cent of food premises in Redcar and Cleveland are operating to a satisfactory, good or very good hygiene standard after six were identified as requiring major improvements.

The Poon Kee Chinese takeaway in Westgate, Guisborough, Tasties Pizzeria, in Allendale Road, Ormesby, Pams Fish & Chip Shop, in Bolckow Road, Grangetown, Pizza Roma, in Fabian Court, Eston, along with the convenience stores Charlie’s Bargain Centre, in Liverton Mines and the Premier Store, in Ennis Square, Dormanstown, all only received a rating of one in their most recent inspections.

Local council environmental health teams are required to inspect premises selling or cooking food for takeaway and give them a rating of anywhere between zero – which means urgent improvement is required – to five (very good hygiene standards) on a sliding scale with the information published on the Food Standards Agency (FSA) website.

Redcar and Cleveland Council said 98 per cent of food premises in the borough had a satisfactory, good or very good standard of hygiene and had been awarded a food hygiene rating of three or above.

None had a zero rating.

A council spokeswoman said: “Our procedures require environmental health officers to carry out follow up visits to food premises in need of major improvement.

“We have a plan to revisit all our food premises with a rating of one, or have already done so. This is to ensure they have carried out the necessary work to satisfy the officer that standards have improved since the initial visit.”

Many local councils have faced large backlogs in terms of inspections of takeaways and other food premises with environmental health officers being diverted away from their usual work because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“From March 2020 until July 2021 the service priorities were diverted to enforcement of the Covid restrictions legislation. Food hygiene inspections were significantly reduced during this time,” Councillor Steve Kay, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for health, housing and welfare, said.

“Since July the service plan for food hygiene was revised in line with the national priorities for recovery, focusing on inspection of highest risk premises. The service is on track to meet the plan for the 2021/ 2022 period. “

Charlie’s Bargain Centre said it had an issue with fixtures and fittings – in particular ageing freezers – and was constantly in touch with the council’s environmental health team.

It said a “total refit” was in the pipeline.

A reporter twice called the Premier Store, in Ennis Square, Dormanstown, but was unable to speak to staff.