5 - New star ratings sort out the best for consumers

 

Dudley Council recently launched Scores on the Doors to publish results of all its environmental health inspections of food premises. 

 

It rates food establishments from five stars (excellent) to no stars, where bosses are warned to clean up their act or face the consequences.

 

People can find out more about the scheme or check the site out for themselves on June 13 at Dudley Council Plus, Castle Street, Dudley. Environmental health officers will be holding an information session and carrying out demonstrations between 10am and 3pm.

 

A Stourbridge butchers is one of a handful of businesses which have achieved a five-star rating through the scheme. 

 

Mark Felton, owner of Harris Butchers in Wollaston, which is celebrating its 100^th anniversary, is delighted his hard work is being recognised:

 

“Gaining five stars is a tribute to the work and commitment of the team and a reflection of our good standards of cleanliness and hygiene. It also recognises the knowledge and training of my staff who, as well as receiving training to maintain essential documented food safety management systems through the Meat and Livestock Commission, have also all attended food hygiene training run by Stourbridge College. “

 

Mark started out as a Saturday lad at the firm, before going to work there full time after leaving school. He learnt his trade under the guidance of Bill Harris, the grandson of the original founder, before buying the business from him, on his retirement, in 1997.

 

“I’ve had many unannounced visits from environmental health officers over the 11 years I’ve been in business,” added Mark. “Officers have always been a great source of advice for helping me to develop standards and improve the business.”

 

 

“To get five stars, food premises not only need excellent standards of cleanliness and hygiene and trained staff, but need to be able to show evidence of other good practices such as regular temperature monitoring and stock rotation. 

 

“Harris Butchers is one of the few small independent businesses and the only butchers in the borough so far to achieve a five star rating.”

 

People can now view the ratings of around 400 of the borough’s 2,000 food premises. Additional reports will be added monthly and it is due to take over a year for the reports to build up.