Check out Scores on the Doors before you indulge

Don't forget to check out the hygiene ratings when you book your Christmas meal at a local venue - that's the advice from the Royal Borough's environmental health team.

Scores on the Doors - introduced by the borough earlier this year - provides diners with information on a venue's hygiene and food safety standards using a star rating system, with five stars being excellent and no stars meaning major improvements are required.

In the eight months since the April launch a majority of the establishments that prepare and serve food - from fine dining restaurants to school canteens to kebab vans - have been rated, with 134 establishments earning five stars.

Three hundred venues earned four stars, 280 earned three, 143 two and 61 one star, while 32 venues failed to earn any stars at all and have been advised by environmental health's commercial services team on how to improve their food safety standards.

Cllr Phill Bicknell, lead member for public protection, said: "With the festive season fast approaching many of us will be eating out with family, friends or colleagues.

"Make sure it really is a festive and cheerful experience - check out the Scores on the Doors to ensure your chosen venue is clean, healthy and hygienic, and to help you make a balanced decision about where to eat."

To check the Scores on the Doors:
• go to www.rbwm.gov.uk
• go to www.scoresonthedoors.org.uk
• text SOTD followed by the business name and town to 60060
• for WAP service go to www.sotd.tv
• look for a rating sticker in the window of the business.

For more information email customer.service@rbwm.gov.uk or call the commercial services team on 01628 683820.

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