Big names missing from hygiene ratings

Last month Horsham District Council announced the launch of a new rating system for all public cafes and restaurant in the district on Monday April 4.

But despite the council promoting Horsham town as the best place to eat out, at the time of the launch only 79 out of around 1,000 eateries were included in the scheme.

Acclaimed restaurants such as Wabi, Tristan’s and The Pass in South Lodge are some of the notable names missing.

Along with restaurants, takeaways and coffee shops, kitchens in schools, care homes and leisure centres are being rated.

Out of the few that have been assessed, there were 44 rated five-star, 14 four-star, ten with three stars, six with a two-star rating and five with just one star. No eateries scored zero.

In Horsham town, those with five stars include Prezzo in Carfax, Deep Blue fish and chip shop, Collets Alley, Forfars Fresh in Carfax and The Conservatory Cafe in Horsham Park.

Outside of Horsham town, those that achieved a five-star rating included The Tea Room in Pulborough, Haldi in Lintot Square Southwater, No1 The Laurels B & B in Henfield and Rapkyns Nursing Home in Broadbridge Heath.

Three of the five cafes which scored just one star, which means ‘major improvement necessary’, were in Horsham town centre. They were the British Home Stores cafe, BBs Coffee and Muffins, both in Swan Walk, and Comodor, off West Street.

The others were Caterways Store, The Parade, Horsham, and Swains Farm Shop in Henfield.

Explaining how the scheme works, Peter Rowlinson, Cabinet Member for Planning and the Environment (Con, Itchingfield, Slinfold and Warnham) said: “Food outlets, such as restaurants, takeaways and pubs, are inspected by food safety officers from the council to check that their hygiene standards meet legal requirements.

“The hygiene standards found at these inspections are rated on a scale ranging from zero at the bottom, which means ‘urgent improvement necessary’, to a top rating of five which means ‘very good’.

“Whilst standards are generally good locally, this scheme will help better inform customers and should drive up standards even higher.”

A council spokesman said the list displayed on the Food Standards Agency website will be updated every Friday until all premises have been inspected.

All the results can be viewed at www.food.gov.uk/ratings

Which restaurants in the district deserve a five-star rating and which ones are not up to scratch? Leave your comments below or email [email protected]