Round Up... or Down

It's been a while since last we considered the topic of food hygiene. Over two years, in fact. Here's a round up (or down) of the latest hygiene news.

Since March 2015, hygiene ratings have slipped a little. The average rating out of five in Rhuthun/Ruthin & district has fallen from 4.7 to 4.5. Since March 2015, a significant number of premises—over 30—are now added to the list, most of which score the top 5. Take these newcomers away and comparing March 2015 against the same premises in 2017 and the average is 4.4.

How come? Whereas 51 premises are unchanged and six have improved, no fewer than 18—a quarter of those with a 2015 score—have slipped.

The Three Pigeons, Graigfechan, started in June 2011 at 5. By May 2012, it had slumped to 2, owing to the ill health of the landlord, no doubt. September 2014 saw it climb to 3 but in November 2106, back it went to 2.

It's rare for a local authority institution to get less than 5. Ysgol Carreg Emlyn Cyffylliog site had always previously been 5 but has recently dropped to 4. Other 4s which were once 5s are the Eagle's Bakery; Caffi Rh/Café R (assessed October 2016, after Denbighshire's direct management); John Jones butchers; On the Hill; Patchwork (shop); and Plas Gwyn nursing home, Llanychan.

The Panda Garden started life as rated 1, slowly climbed to 2, 3 and then 4 and has now slipped back to 3. Competitor Happy House has consistently been a 4 but during its most recent assessment has fallen to a 3. The Fox & Hounds, Pwllglas, has also consistently been 4 but also recently dropped to 3. The Star Bistro (as it is now), under previous management, managed only a 2 and for quite some time. It climbed to 3 by September 2014 and 4 a year later but has subsequently reduced to 3 again.

Truly of concern, however, are these:

• Aydin's Wernfechan chippy, down three points. In 2011, originally rated 4, it reached 5 in September 2012. Now, after a January 2016 assessment, it's rated just 2. 

• Ruthin School, down two points, originally a 2 but by May 2012 a 5, has slipped back during its most recent assessment to 3.

• Bar Llaeth, down two points. First assessed in 2012, it scored 3. It had put on weight to 4 by September 2014 but more recently is now just 2.

• All the new premises straightaway reached either 4 or 5 save for the Ocean Pearl, scoring 3. 

Then there are the three most disturbing and serious of all. Ruthin Pizza (J Khan) and Ruthin Kebab & Burger, both down four, both see the biggest slump. Ruthin Pizza started life as a 4 and by September 2014 had climbed to a 5. The kebab shop had always been a 5. Both are now languishing at 1 after their most recent inspections.

And, finally, comes Ruthin Tandoori. This has dropped three places but now has the ignominy of scoring no points whatsoever. This had been 5 right from the start but by March 2015 it had fallen to 3. At its most recent inspection, in May 2017, that 3 was wiped out to zero. It is one of only two food premises in North Wales to score exactly nothing, the other being in Y Rhyl. E&OE.