Frequently Asked Questions for Scores on the Doors

A:  No.  North Wiltshire District Council will publish this information on its web site and provide the information free-of-charge to the Public as part of their obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Q: What if the business I am interested in is not listed?

A:  It may be that no inspection information is available (for example: if the food business is new), or that details have not been uploaded yet.

The information being put on the web site is for inspections carried out after 1st April 2007. The inspection frequency determining the date of next inspection is calculated from the previous inspection rating.  Low risk premises might only need inspecting every three years and it is expected that the complete list may take three years to complete.

In certain cases, the Council might decide to withhold details from the site.  This might happen, for example, if there was a prosecution case pending.

Q:  How is the stars award scheme calculated?

A:  The star rating is calculated from the hygiene score allocated to the premises at the time of the food hygiene inspection and is intended as a quick "at a glance" indicator of food safety standards at that business.  Click on the star award for an explanation of the award scheme.

Q:  How is the inspection rating calculated?

A:  The risk rating is displayed as a letter.  Click on the link below the letter to read an explanation of what the letters mean.

Q:  Where does the information come from?

A:  The information is collated from a numerical score allocated to the business during routine inspections by the inspecting officer.  The business is assessed against 8 parameters set out in national guidelines as a code of practice.  If you believe the information is incorrect in any way, please contact the Environmental Health department.

Q:  Which business details are listed?

A:  Only those food businesses within the boundary of North Wiltshire District Council. If the food business you are interested in is not shown then you can make a request to your local council for disclosure of inspection records under the The Freedom of Information Act 2000.