OLDHAMERS can now check online to see if their local restaurant, pub or takeaway is up to scratch.

Oldham Council has this week unveiled the first findings of its new ‘Scores on the Doors’ hygiene rating system.

The scores – ranked from no stars (‘very poor’) to five stars (‘excellent’) – are designed to help residents check the cleanliness rates of local establishments – hopefully shaming the poor performers into raising their game and reducing incidents of food-related illnesses.

The results, which also cover places like cafes, supermarkets and stores that sell hot food over the counter, are based on the latest food hygiene inspections undertaken by the council’s Environmental Health team.

Inspectors rated such things as hygiene, cleanliness, layout, condition of structure, ventilation and knowledge, compliance and management of food laws.

A staggering 1,317 local establishments were inspected and scored as follows:

  • The lowest possible ‘no star’ rating was given to just 32 – 2.5 per cent – of the establishments.

  • Inspectors ranked 99 as one star, or ‘poor’ (7.5 per cent).

  • Judged as ‘adequate’ with two stars were 339 (25.7 per cent) of establishments.

  • The majority of businesses, a total of 398, achieved a three star ‘good’ score (30.2 per cent),

  • A considerable proportion of 272 were deemed ‘very good’ and worthy of four stars (20.6 per cent).

  • The ‘five star’ performers, rated ‘excellent’, accounted for 13.4 per cent of the total, which was 176 venues.

    The scores and details of the inspections can now be viewed on-line and are likely to hit the poor performers hard in terms of potential loss of revenue.

    However, Cllr Mark Alcock, cabinet member for environment, was unapologetic and said a recent consultation exercise had found 97 per cent of the Oldham residents spoken to wanted the inspection results made public.

    "The initiative, which is supported by the Food Standards Agency, gives members of the public as much information as possible about hygiene standards so they can make informed decisions about where to eat or shop," he said.

    "‘Scores on the Doors’ also gives businesses that are already achieving high standards the recognition they deserve, while under-performing businesses are given the incentive to improve."

    Kathryn Kelly, Oldham’s principal environmental health officer, said: "If a business is performing particularly well it may only be inspected once every two years whereas if it is doing particularly badly it could be re-inspected every six months.

    "For premises that have very a poor rating, the council can use a number of measures to make sure improvements are made. This includes the issuing of written warnings, improvement notices and even closing the premises.

    "If a premises does make substantial improvements in the short term, however, its rating will be unchanged until the next inspection."

    Businesses are all being given certificates indicating their star rating which they can choose to display. Unsurprisingly, among those planning to advertise their rating are the owners of the Clough Manor at Denshaw, which got the full ‘five star’ score.

    Chef Nigel Skinkiss said: "I think it’s a fantastic idea. It gives recognition to the places that deserve it. Reputation is everything in this business and the inspections are thorough. You have to be on top of your game. The inspectors can literally call in at any time, so that means you have to have everything – your paperwork, your checks – up to date on a daily basis, or it will not go well. It’s about a consistent, professional approach."

     Anyone wanting to see the inspection report for their local venues can view them at www.oldham.gov.uk/food-safety