The food hygiene ratings for every fish and chip shop in Hexham, Prudhoe and Ponteland have been published by the Food Standards Agency.

We’ve taken a look to see how they fared.

Inspections were carried out between 2017 and 2020.

Hexham

Hexham Fish Bar - Priestpopple, Hexham - Hygiene Rating 5 (very good) - Date of inspection: June 1, 2017

Paxtons Fish & Chips - Market Place, Hexham - Hygiene Rating 5 (very good) - Date of inspection: June 1, 2017

Sea Chef - St Lukes Road, Hexham - Hygiene Rating 5 (very good) - Date of inspection: February 13, 2019

Prudhoe

A & R Balls Fish & Chips - Front Street, Prudhoe - Hygiene Rating 5 (very good) - Date of inspection: September 10, 2019

Dhillons Fish Inn - Front Street, Prudhoe - Hygiene Rating 5 (very good) - Date of inspection: September 10, 2019

Ponteland

Gills Golden Fish & Chips - Merton Road, Ponteland - Hygiene Rating 3 (genrally satisfactory) - Date of inspection: March 5, 2020

What are the ratings?

According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), the scheme gives businesses a rating from 5 to 0 which is displayed at their premises and online so you can make more informed choices about where to buy and eat food.

5 – hygiene standards are very good

4 – hygiene standards are good

3 – hygiene standards are generally satisfactory

2 – some improvement is necessary

1 – major improvement is necessary

0 – urgent improvement is required

The ratings are a snapshot of the standards of food hygiene found at the time of inspection. It is the responsibility of the business to comply with food hygiene law at all times.

This includes:

  • handling of food
  • how food is stored
  • how food is prepared
  • cleanliness of facilities
  • how food safety is managed

The food hygiene rating scheme does not provide information on the following factors:

  • quality of the food  
  • customer service  
  • culinary skill  
  • presentation  
  • comfort

The FSA adds that businesses in England do not have to display their food hygiene rating at their premises, but are encouraged to do so.