Four pubs and bars across Croydon and Sutton are among the lowest-rated venues in the Food Standards Agency’s database, with one Croydon pub handed a one-star food hygiene rating.
The venues, all inspected earlier this year, scored one or two out of five under the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, which gives customers an indication of the hygiene standards found at a food business when it was inspected.
Inspectors assess businesses across three areas: hygienic food handling, the cleanliness and condition of facilities and buildings, and the management of food safety. A rating of one means major improvement is necessary, while a rating of two means improvement is necessary. The highest rating, five, means food hygiene is considered very good.
The Orchard Public House, Croydon — one star
The Orchard Public House, at 112 Cherry Orchard Road, Croydon, received a food hygiene rating of one out of five following an inspection on 25 March.
The Food Standards Agency record shows hygienic food handling was rated “generally satisfactory”, and the cleanliness and condition of the facilities and building was also assessed as “generally satisfactory”. However, the management of food safety was rated “major improvement necessary”.
This was the lowest rating among the four venues featured here, with the overall score indicating that major improvement was necessary at the time of the inspection.
HopScotch Taprooms, Upper Norwood — two stars
HopScotch Taprooms, at 54 Westow Hill, Upper Norwood, was given a food hygiene rating of two out of five following an inspection on 20 May.
The inspection found hygienic food handling to be “very good”. However, the cleanliness and condition of the facilities and building was assessed as “improvement necessary”. The overall rating means improvement was necessary at the time of the inspection.
The Coach And Horses, Carshalton — two stars
The Coach And Horses, at 12 High Street, Carshalton, received two out of five following an inspection on 23 May.
The Food Standards Agency record shows hygienic food handling was rated “improvement necessary”, while the cleanliness and condition of the facilities and building was assessed as “generally satisfactory” and the management of food safety was also rated “generally satisfactory”.
Shinner And Sudtone, Sutton — two stars
Shinner And Sudtone, at 67 High Street, Sutton, was given a food hygiene rating of two out of five following an inspection on 14 April.
The inspection found hygienic food handling to be “improvement necessary”, while the cleanliness and condition of the facilities and building was rated “generally satisfactory” and the management of food safety was also assessed as “generally satisfactory”.
It is important to note that an overall rating does not necessarily mean a venue performed poorly across every area, with some receiving positive assessments in certain categories but requiring improvement in others — as HopScotch Taprooms’ “very good” food handling score shows.
The Food Standards Agency stresses that a food hygiene rating reflects the standards found at the time of an inspection and can change after a business makes improvements and is inspected again. Businesses can appeal their rating, respond to it, or request a re-inspection through their local authority.
The ratings come as food hygiene standards continue to draw attention across the capital — London Streets recently reported on the boroughs with the worst food hygiene ratings in London, and on Bexley takeaways handed one- and two-star ratings.
