We will be back with a high five

White Hart Head Chef Mike Shaw

ONE of Saddleworth's top restaurants has been shocked to receive a lowly two-star hygiene rating from a consumer watchdog.

The White Hart at Lydgate was given a "requires improvement" rating in a Scores on the Doors survey by Oldham Council.

Scores on the Doors offers consumers a chance to check out pubs, clubs, takeaways, restaurants and a link to examine how hygienic and well-managed food preparation is at any of the 515,182 listed premises throughout the UK.

Responding to the report, which is published online, the White Hart says the one shortfall from this inspection has been recognised and already been rectified.

They added: "We have already applied for a re-inspection and can assure all our customers this is a one-off and will not be repeated."

Today the White Hart said: "We invest in high standards for both quality of product and a higher standard of hygiene.

"However, when an inspection found they were operating with just one vacuum pack machine, the Food Hygiene Rating of 5 was slashed to 2.

"A routine environmental health inspection found the kitchen was using one machine for wrapping both raw and cooked food items in contravention of EU Food Standard Regulations.

"Those same regulations allow the use of one roll of cling film to be used to wrap both raw and cooked food."

Head Chef, Mike Shaw said: "Using a vacuum packer for portioned food is better for both a higher quality standard and is more hygienic than using cling film.

"We could have chosen to use cling film and saved a lot of money. Instead we bought a second machine so that we now have one for raw and one for cooked food."

The White Hart's owner, Charles Brierley, said: "Just two days after the inspection, we took delivery of a second vacuum packer at a cost of £1,787.98.

"Our chef has very high standards and I support him with the necessary investment," he declared.

"The environmental health inspector advised us, that had it not been for the vacuum packer, we would have retained our rating of 5.

"We requested a revisit at the time but were advised we would have to wait three months."

Mr Brierley, who has owned the White Hart for 23 years, said social media spread the 'Scores on the Doors' rating.

"This, coupled with speculation about the cause, is both misleading customers and damaging to the businesses' good reputation."

He added: "To reassure our valued clientele, I have been in contact with the environmental health officer and she has kindly agreed to re-visit the premises before Christmas.

"I have every confidence the rating will return to 5," he added.

The White Hart is joint third top restaurant in Greater Manchester in next year's Good Food Guide, The Michelin inspectors' Pick of the Pubs Guide and is recommended in the AA Restaurant Guide and the AA Hotel Guide with gold standard four-star rating and two entries in the Michelin Hotel and Restaurant Guide.