Recipe for a great night out in Rochdale borough this Christmas

Good company, great food, Christmas crackers and all the trimmings are usually the ingredients for a great meal out during the festive season.

So Rochdale Borough Council is urging residents ensure they are not haunted by the spectre of Christmas party meals past by checking the food hygiene rating of their chosen venue.

Whatever your recipe for eating out this Christmas, make sure you choose one of the 89 per cent of eateries in Rochdale borough with a rating of 3 or more,.

Councillor Jacqui Beswick, Rochdale Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Place and Regulation, said: “Christmas is a busy time for our local restaurants, cafes and pubs and with the majority of food businesses in Rochdale borough rated 3 or above. The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme makes it easier for everyone to choose to eat out in places where food hygiene is taken seriously.”

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme rates food businesses on their hygiene standards, based on inspections carried out by Rochdale Borough Council. Businesses are rated on a scale ranging from 0 which means ‘urgent improvement necessary’ to a top rating of 5 which is ‘very good’.

So, whether you’re planning a festive meal out with family, friends or work colleagues or just grabbing a quick lunch when out Christmas shopping; don’t only consider the menu – make sure you check the hygiene rating too!

Look out for the green and black food hygiene rating stickers displayed on windows and doors to find out how businesses in Rochdale borough are doing.

Catriona Stewart, Head of the Food Hygiene Ratings Team at the Food Standards Agency, said: “The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme is a great tool when choosing where to eat out, particularly when celebrating a special meal, because it tells you what’s going in the kitchen and behind the scenes. For local eateries, a good rating will be good for business during the festive season.”

This Christmas, before you book check out the food hygiene rating of your favourite places to eat at www.food.gov.uk/ratings