A RHYL fish and chip shop owner has slammed inspectors after achieving a second consecutive food hygiene rating of one.

The Town Fryer, on 56 Wellington Road, was given the score after assessment on May 19 by inspectors.

It comes after the one rating the chippy received in January.

At the time, the business said “paperwork” was to blame for the poor rating, but its new rating showed there was “improvement necessary” regarding its hygienic food handling.

The food hygiene rating reflects the standards of food hygiene found on the date of the inspection by the local authority, in this case Denbighshire Council.

Businesses are required to display the rating and they are listed on the local authority’s website for the public to view.

The food hygiene rating is not a guide to food quality and, after the initial rating, Facebook users sang the praises of the chip shop’s food.

Owner Mary Theresa Smith Eromosele said that she was seeking legal advice, having lodged an appeal, in the wake of the follow up rating.

She told the Journal: “I’ve just put an appeal in against it because they’ve done it to everybody in this town.

“I’m waiting to hear off them - I’ve just had enough of them, they’re just trying to shut all these small businesses.”

“In the last few weeks, everyone seems to be getting a one off them.”

Mary claimed that she was left clueless as to what to do to improve on the previous rating.

LATEST DENBIGHSHIRE HYGIENE RATINGS:

“I wasn’t given any letters or anything saying what I had to do, I was given an email but I should have received a letter,” added Mary.

“They didn’t have a clue what I had to do - I got a friend to look at the book, I made a mistake on one page (of the book), he altered it.

“They did not come back and check what I done from the first one – she did not come back and make sure I did the first jobs I was asked to do.

“I’m going through a nightmare with these inspectors because I do well in this town.

“This is just a joke – they’re picking on chopping boards, on a dishwasher that you’re using to wash pots, they’ve got nothing. They’re just pathetic.”

The Town Fryer’s poor rating was in large part due to its hygienic food handling, which refers to preparation, cooking, re-heating, cooling and storage of items.

A Denbighshire County Council spokesperson said: “All food safety officers work within nationally recognised guidelines.

“If a business is not satisfied with their rating, then they can appeal the rating within the allowed time period.

“Businesses are also able to apply for a rescore, through filling in a form on the website or contacting the Food Safety Team for advice.”