skip through navigation (Access Key = S ) Jump to Accessibility Information (Access Key = 0 ) Jump to Home Page (Access Key = 1 ) Jump to News (Access Key = 2 ) Jump to Site Map (Access Key = 3 ) Jump to Search Box (Access Key = 4 ) Jump to Frequently Asked Questions (Access Key = 5 ) Jump to Help Page (Access Key = 6 ) Jump to Complaints (Access Key = 7 ) Jump to Terms and Conditions (Access Key = 8 ) Jump to Feedback Form (Access Key = 9 ) Jump to content (Access Key = N ) Jump to Business and Advice (Access Key = B ) Jump to Leisure and Culture (Access Key = C ) Jump to Council and Community Diary (Access Key = M ) Jump to Environment and Planning (Access Key = V ) Jump to Community and Learning (Access Key = G ) Jump to Do It Online (Access Key = O ) Jump to Children and Young People (Access Key = P ) Jump to A to Z Services (Access Key = T ) Jump to Your Council (Access Key = Y ) Jump to A too Z site Index (Access Key = Z ) jump to Read Speaker functionality (Access Key = L) Jump to Printer Friendly Version (Access Key = F) Jump to Text Only (Access Key = J) Jump to Change Contrast (Access Key = K)
Scores on the Doors - FAQs
KitchenQ. Is there a charge to use Scores on the Doors?
A. No, there is no charge to use the Scores on the Doors service. The information is provided to the public, via the Scores on the Doors website under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. If you want to check the food hygiene rating of your favourite restaurant via text, you will be charged 50p plus the cost of one SMS message at your standard network rate.

Q. What are the benefits to the public?
A. We hope that the scheme will drive up standards of food safety within premises and give the public the opportunity to make an informed choice about where they choose to eat or buy food based on food safety and hygiene standards. They also have access to information in an easy to understand format.

Q. What are the benefits to the food business?
A. The scheme serves as a good advertisement for those food businesses that practice high standards of hygiene. This in turn may lead to an increase in business and reward food business owners for their effort. Currently 89 local authorities throughout the country are taking part in the scheme, using the same scoring system and star ratings to ensure consistency.

Q. What happens if I can’t find a food business?
A. If you have searched for a business on the Scores on the Doors website and it does not appear, it could be that the business is new and is still waiting to be assessed. Low risk food businesses, such as greengrocers and chemists, will not appear on the website, because they are not included in the scheme. Alternatively, the business may have been recently reassessed and is waiting for a new rating. As soon as it is rated, we will publish the results on the web. This is updated every two weeks

Q. How do I search for a food business on the Scores on the Doors website?
A.
  • Log onto the scores on the doors website
  • Fill in the search boxes with as much information as you like. You do not need to fill out every box.
  • For example, type in the name of the business or the street name you are looking for or area. Or you can retrieve by star rating or just area.

Q. Who decides what score/star rating a local food business achieves?
A. Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) employed by the Council decide the score/star rating of each food business following a planned food hygiene inspection. Inspections take place between every six months to two years, depending on the nature of the business and history of compliance with food law.

Q. Do food businesses have to publicly display their 'Scores on the Doors' certificate and sticker?
A. No. There is no legal requirement for businesses to publicly display their certificate or sticker. We do, however, strongly encourage them to do so. However, it is easy to find out a food businesses’ score/star rating by sending a text by typing in 'SOTD', name of business, area and send to 60060*. Or check the scores on the doors website. Finally, you can always call the Council’s Environmental Health team on telephone number 01784 446291.

Q. How do I know if the certificate and/or sticker on display are valid and genuine?
A. Following a food hygiene inspection the previous certificate and sticker will be collected by the inspecting officer. Each certificate and sticker includes the Council’s logo and has a unique number on the front. In addition, the website will offer a list of food businesses and their scores.

Q. Can food businesses make a request to have their star rating reassessed?
A. Yes, provided the business has a rating score of 2 stars or less. Normally requests for a reassessment of a star rating should be in writing. Usually an EHO will carry out a reassessment visit within three months of a request being received. If the EHO is satisfied that a real improvement has been made to food hygiene standards he/she will give a better star rating to the business.
However, only one reassessment visit will be carried out between planned food hygiene inspections.

Q. Is there a charge to food businesses requesting a reassessment of their star rating?
A. No.

Q. Do food businesses have a “right to reply” concerning their star rating?
A. Yes. The website includes a 'right to reply' section for owners of businesses to use. This gives them the chance to indicate any improvement that has been made since the last food hygiene inspection. However, right to replies will only be put on the web-site following agreement of the Head of Environmental Health and Building Control Services.

Q. Where can I find further information or advice?
A. For further information contact:

Environmental Health
Spelthorne Borough Council
Council Offices
Knowle Green
Staines
TW18 1XB

Telephone: 01784 446291
E-mail: environmental.health.commercial@spelthorne.gov.uk


* Customers must be 16+ and have bill payer's permission. Texts cost 50p plus one sms message at network rate. Helpline 0845 638 3148 or e-mail mobile@sotd.tv