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Food Advice and Hygiene Rating Re-Score Visits

During the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak we will not be able to carry out Food Advice or Re-score Inspections for Food Businesses.

Please check back at a later date if you need to arrange either of these visits.

Thank you for your understanding and we hope you all stay fit and healthy.

Food Safety Advice

Advice for food businesses can be found on the Food Standards Agency website.

If you are Starting up a food business, information can be found at Starting a Food Business

If you have a single question about food safety please use the Food Safety Query Form to contact us.

Food Advice Service.

We are now offering a fee-based advisory service for food safety for:

  • New businesses before they start trading to ensure things are right first time
  • Existing businesses wanting to improve your chances of receiving the highest food hygiene rating.

New Business Advice:

Before you open your food business you can obtain advice from a food safety officer who will be able to make you aware of all food hygiene requirements that you need to consider before you start trading.

There is a charge for this service of £130 for the first hour and £65 per hour after (see our Scale of Fees and Charges below) which includes the following:

  • A one-hour site visit of the proposed premises offering advice about structural requirements and proposed layout.
  • On-site written report summarising visit and recommendations
  • Issuing you with a Safer Food Better Business Pack (SFBB) and a 12 months supply of diary sheets, along with explaining how it should be completed.
  • Signpost you to other sources of information, agencies or Council departments as appropriate. The decision ultimately rests with your business.

Existing Business Advice

If you are already running a food business, you can also request food safety advice or advice on how to improve your food hygiene rating. 

There is a charge for this service of £130 for the first hour and £65 per hour after (see our Scale of Fees and Charges below) which includes the following:

  • A full review of your premises and food safety documentation i.e. Safer Food Better Business (SFBB).
  • The officer will discuss with you the legal requirements and advisory matters that require your attention.
  • A detailed report listing all the requirements that need to be addressed to improve your rating.
  • Other requests tailored to you needs.

To request business advice, please contact us using the .

Fees and Charges

  • One hour visit to the Council office: £65
  • One hour site visit plus report: £130
  • Two hour site visit plus report: £195
  • Three hour site visit plus report: £260
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