ACCORDING to the watchdogs the food standards agency there are seven outlets across Wirral which "require urgent improvement" after being given a zero rating for hygiene.
Food hygiene ratings range from zero to five, with the top mark of five meaning inspectors believe the premises have "very good" hygiene standards.
Safety officers must ensure that business are meeting the law and do this by looking at:
How hygienically the food is handled – how it is prepared, cooked, re-heated, cooled and stored
The condition of the structure of the buildings – the cleanliness, layout, lighting, ventilation and other facilities
How the business manages and records what it does to make sure food is safe
When the top rating is not given the inspector will explain to owners the steps they need to take in order to improve.
All restaurants and take aways featured in the list below were inspected last year, with all of them being described as having "poor" or "very bad" structural compliance.
The food outlets that received zero rating are:
Coffee Aroma
Located at Brunswick Court, Price Street, Birkenhead, Coffee Aroma received this hygiene rating in August last year.
The owner said: “It was all down to the temperature books not being kept up to date and there were a few bits and bobs that needed altering, but they have been fixed now.”
Shanterz
Shanterz is the restaurant located on Tam O Shanter's Urban Farm at Boundary Road, Bidston.
Operator Mark Gill explained: “We were not given a pre-visit as we had requested.
"Being on a farm we will never be able to achieve the five star rating, but we have made improvements to improve for our next inspection.”
Gibson’s Butchers
Location: Allport Lane, Bromborough.
Owner Peter Gibson explained how his shop was due to receive a new hygiene rating.
He said: “Hopefully we will have an improved score, officers have been out last week and today to inspect us.”
Golden Lion
Location: Argyle Street South, Tranmere.
Golden Lion refused to comment when approached by the Globe.
Pizza Nite
Location: Old Chester Road, Rock Ferry.
Having reopened following a closure last year, the owner insisted his business is back on track and is confident the rating will improve.
Tasty Bites Café
Location: Laird Street, Birkenhead.
The owner did not wish to discuss details but stressed that she did not agree the rating her business had been given.
Ali's Balti
Location: Laird Street Birkenhead.
The owner of Ali’s Balti was not available when contacted by the Globe.
Among businesses across Wirral who also had received a zero food hygiene rating were two food stores and two off-licences.
All rating were correct at the time of publication on February 29.
Ratings may change following further inspections.
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