Five Star Catering in Great Yarmouth
PR 132
13 February 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Eight companies from the Borough of Great Yarmouth recently became the first to be awarded five stars by the Council for excellent hygiene and safety standards.
A new scheme has been launched to rate the 1,200 companies in the Borough that handle food - against national legislation brought into force on January 1 by the Food Standards Agency.
“We award up to five stars based on the structure of the premises and practices of the company on the day we inspect,” explained Derryth Wright, Commercial Manager in the Council’s Environmental Health department.
On Monday February 13 Marine Parade businesses Grosvenor Casino and Joyland American Family Diner; Pete n Pams Plaice, Bradwell; Jack and Jill’s day nursery, Gorleston; Priory Farm Restaurant, St Olaves; Premier Fare; The California Tavern and The Corner House, Great Yarmouth accepted their five star certificates from Derryth at a ceremony at the Town Hall. Simon’s butcher from Magdalen Way, Gorleston was unable to attend the event.
“The scheme aims to help the public judge for itself how good a business is at complying with food hygiene legislation,” explained Derryth.
“It applies to any business which handles food from top restaurants to a corner shop selling sandwiches.
“Premises are inspected or a regular basis, with those preparing food - be they a manufacturer or a café - obviously gaining more regular visits than a shop selling pre-packed food. Visits can range from six-monthly for the highest risk - to not really necessary for the really low risk.”
The system looks at three areas: practices, structure, and confidence in management.
Procedures cover aspects such as temperature control and staff practices. Structure looks at the cleanliness of the premises, the condition of the building and its facilities such as those provided for hand washing.
Confidence in management is based on whether inspectors feel that those in charge have a good track record on technical knowledge, appreciate potential hazards and the standard of food safety management systems in place.
Scores in each category go from 0 to up to 30. The higher the score the worse the rating.
A zero in each category illustrates that the inspectors have found a high standard of compliance to the legislation, good practices in place, and that they systems used are adhered to and that they are confident any suggestions will be complied with.
“As the scheme is just getting off the ground (in January we inspected 42 premises) most businesses will not have been through the process yet, so they will not have the opportunity to display a window sticker,” added Derryth.
“But if the public wants to know if their favourite eatery has been inspected lately, and how it faired, they can
check here.
“Displaying a window sticker with the star rating isn’t compulsory but we hope businesses will use them.”
“”We are very pleased to get this award,” said hotelier Peter Gidney of The Corner House. “Our guests will be able to see the new award as a mark of our high standards in food hygiene and safety.”
For further information contact Commercial Manager Derryth Wright on 01493 846547.Picture caption: Commercial Manager Derryth Wright (second left) with the five star winners at Great Yarmouth Town Hall.
Issued by:
Liz Dann
Press Officer
Great Yarmouth Borough Council
01493 846513