St Pierre Park, Cimandis are rated one star for hygiene

The overwhelming majority of local restaurants, cafes and suppliers have the top rating of five stars in the rolling system, and only a handful are ranked with one or two.

Businesses are rated by Environmental Health under three headings – hygienic food handling, cleanliness and condition of facilities and building, and the management of food safety, which mainly relates to paperwork.

St Pierre Park Hotel was rated as one star, which means major improvement are necessary, because of issues with its management of food safety.

Cimandis received the same rating because of concerns in the management of food safety category.

Both were approached for comment yesterday.

Happiness Chinese takeaway in Vauvert was another establishment ranked as one star.

Herm Island received its first one star rating for the Harbour Cafe.

The island's chief executive, Craig Senior, explained that they had converted a retail unit into a food business and, because it was a three-month trial, the floor was still carpeted and it was this issue that gave them a low rating.

Mr Senior stressed that all the food was prepared and cooked in other kitchens on Herm, such as at the Mermaid Tavern, which all have five stars.

‘It’s nothing to do with the food itself, it’s just the infrastructure. Apart from scooping ice-cream, all the food is pre-packed and provided by other outlets.

‘My gut feeling is that the trial will be successful and it’s highly likely we’ll do the remedial work, and in the meantime we’re working and operating with the full blessing of the States of Guernsey,' he said.

‘We’re very grateful to the Environmental Health officers for coming over, especially when they give us five stars everywhere else.’

A representative from the North Side Fish and Chip Shop was very disappointed with their one star rating. They were shocked that it had gone online within 24 hours of the inspection, which meant that it had not yet had time to tackle the issues that were highlighted.

One related to the landlord having building work done on the premises. Due to lockdowns, the builders had been on the project for around a year and there was still more to do.

The other issue had been staffing.

The representative said half of the staff had been Latvian, but two had to leave due to their licences ending, while a third was keen to return to their family after being apart during the pandemic.

The business has advertised for staff, but was finding it hard to get the right people, the representative said.