A NUMBER of South Belfast restaurants and takeaways have left a bad taste in the mouth of food hygiene inspectors, who have warned many require “major improvement”. The site visits by the Food Standards Agency have been taking place over the last year, and many popular local eateries scored dismally, achieving just one or two out of five.
Meanwhile, two businesses in Belfast scored the lowest possible mark – zero stars, and both are located in the south of the city.
The Centra Quick Stop on the Ormeau Road was inspected in January, and was rated zero, which inspectors describe as “urgent improvement necessary”, prompting Centra bosses to demand the store management to clean up their act.
The Four Seasons Chinese restaurant on the Dublin Road also served up a zero rating, following their inspection late last year.
Outlets that scored just one or two points – below the satisfactory mark - meanwhile, include Indian restaurants, sandwich bars, cafes and bakeries scattered across South Belfast.
A local councillor has called for owners to improve hygiene standards immediately.
The Alliance Party’s Cathy Curran said: “We have a great reputation here in South Belfast for the huge selection of food available in restaurants and takeaways, and it’s important we maintain high standards to keep this up.
“Many of these businesses, especially the takeaways have the potential for real growth during tough economic times, as people no longer eat at restaurants as much, but if standards don’t improve this too could suffer. I would call on all those who scored a low rating to make the necessary improvements and keep the hygiene standards up from now on.”
A spokeswoman for Centra NI told this paper that although local stores are independently owned, the firm still expects high standards for shops bearing the Centra name.
“It’s unfortunate that on this occasion the Centra on the Ormeau Road has fallen short of the mark we would expect,” she said.
“We have spoken to the store owner and are committed to supporting him in improving his standards going forward. Hygiene is a priority of focus and we are dedicated to continuous improvement across all our stores.”
No one from the Four Seasons restaurant was available for comment.
Businesses scoring one star out of five, which means “major improvement necessary”:
Amer’s Grill – Lisburn Road
Bombay Brasserie – Lisburn Road
Cook’s Day Today – Ormeau Road
Bangla Bazaar – Ormeau Road
Doorsteps – Botanic Avenue
Bengal Brasserie – Ormeau Road
Businesses scoring two stars out of five, which means “improvement necessary”:
Bamboo House – Lisburn Road
Café Renoir – Botanic Avenue
Archana – Dublin Road
AZN Oriental – Lisburn Road
Drennan’s – University Road
Gaze – Ormeau Road
Camseng International Foods – Lower Windsor Avenue
Clement’s – Lisburn Road
Cargoes – Lisburn Road
Crumb’s Cakes - Lisburn Road
Five Star Fish & Chips – Lisburn Road
Chalco’s – Lisburn Road