Seven out of 10 restaurants and cafes in and around Carlisle have a hygiene rating classing them as "very good".

Seventy-one per cent of the 1,200 businesses inspected scored five on the Food Standard Agency's Food Hygiene Rating Scheme website.

This scheme rates food businesses on their hygiene standards, based on inspections carried out by food safety officers from Carlisle City Council.

Businesses are rated on a scale ranging from 0 - meaning urgent improvement is necessary - to a top rating of five, which is very good.

Fifteen per cent of food businesses in the city also have a "good" hygiene rating, scoring four - and six per cent have a generally satisfactory set-up, gaining three points.

Statistics show only one per cent had a hygiene rating of two - which means improvement is necessary - and one per cent had a hygiene rating of one - where major improvement is needed.

Councillor Chris Southward, who looks after environment and transport for the city council, spoke on the issue.

He said: "When eating out, I would always recommend that the consumer checks the food hygiene rating of the food business.


Chris Southward "For those premises identified with a hygiene rating of one and two, a proactive approach is being taken by officers of the food and public protection team to improve standards within the premises, which includes advice, education and where necessary, appropriate enforcement action."

The Gatehouse Cafe at the entrance to Carlisle Cemetery was recently given a five star rating.

Owner Val Armstrong said: "It shows how diligent we are at making sure we get it right."

The coffee shop at Tiny Town, a children's play centre in Englishgate Plaza, off Botchergate, Carlisle, was also recently awarded a five star rating.

A spokesman said they were "delighted" with the result after receiving a letter and sticker from the city council's environmental health team.

To check, go online to the Food Standard Agency's website - www.food.gov.uk/ratings .