'Scores on the Doors' Scheme In Evidence Around Town

A while ago my Cabinet colleagues and I introduced a new scheme for all restaurants and food outlets in the Borough whereby their food hygiene inspection rating is published online, along with full details of their inspection. The restaurants themselves can also display a poster they are presented with, advertising their hygiene rating. It's not compulsory that they do so, but I've been pleased to notice around town the first few restaruants to start displaying the posters in their window. It shows that they regard high standards of hygiene as a badge of honour, and know that potential customers will appreciate the peace of mind that comes with it. I was only at the launch event a few weeks ago, and it's great to see it already becoming a feature of the local restaurant trade. There's more information about the scheme, together with links through to all the food hygiene information about restaurants that you will need, here on the Council's website: http://www.bedford.gov.uk/environment_and_planning/env_health__trading_standards/food/food_hygiene_rating_scheme.aspx

It's important to note that the scheme places no extra burden on the food businesses in terms of costs or time. It simply makes public information from their inspection, putting knowledge in the hands of local restaurant-goers. We are certainly not in the habit of loading unnecessary red tape onto business, and I will be writing on here again shortly with news of another scheme which is set to cut red tape and unnecessary regulatory burdens on local firms.