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Chessington World of Adventures Resort

MaxPower said:
I didn't even realise you could get a zero.

Another world's first for Merlin perhaps?
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It looks bad alright, however a zero rating is often given to an establishment for something relatively minor, such as an oversight in record-keeping, or another single issue. People do make the assumption that a 0 score is the lowest standard of hygiene, but often if the issue is remedied and the establishment reinspected it can spring back up to a four or five.

Obviously it's not good - but a 1 or 2 score would ironically be more concerning as that would more likely be due to poor standards across the board, rather than an isolated issue that can be easily fixed.
 
I still stand by the theory that this is why Chessington has the nicest toilets of any UK Merlin park; evidently it’s where guests are likely to spend the majority of their day!

I’d like to hope this really is all down to shoddy bookkeeping, but the images of the hotel restaurant inspection last year are still burned into my brain unfortunately…

I almost feel embarrassed for them… Almost.
 
Danny said:
Not sure if this has already been picked up on, but donated Hot Wheels are the least of their worries:

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How do you just not notice that. Has anyone who works there just stopped and thought “Nah this isn’t it chief”, or where they just completely oblivious.


Your average whatsinthefridge surprise would do better than this
 
NuttySquirrel said:
It looks bad alright, however a zero rating is often given to an establishment for something relatively minor, such as an oversight in record-keeping, or another single issue.
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That's not true. A zero rating is not about paperwork but lack of compliance.

Quoting from this BBC News article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-51120935

Peter Cole, lead environmental health officer in food safety at Pembrokeshire council, said myths circulate about the "scores on the doors" system.
The Food Standards Agency, and Mr Cole, say the system has improved standards.

But, Mr Cole added, a zero rating reflects failures across the board.

"To get a zero, there would be things like cross-contamination between raw meat and ready-to-eat products, pest infestations, it really is the worst level of compliance and they are very few and far between," he said.
 
Ian said:
I still stand by the theory that this is why Chessington has the nicest toilets of any UK Merlin park; evidently it’s where guests are likely to spend the majority of their day!

I’d like to hope this really is all down to shoddy bookkeeping, but the images of the hotel restaurant inspection last year are still burned into my brain unfortunately…

I almost feel embarrassed for them… Almost.
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You have them be joking.. the porta kabin in the entrance area just after you have your bags checked is positively the worst toilet I've ever experienced, bar perhaps a long drop at Leeds Festival.

Only Costa Coffee toilets can equal the grottiness, or perhaps Alton Towers towards the end of the day
 
Interestingly, when requesting a copy of the report that was produced for the Smokehouse zero food hygiene rating the message coming back from the council is that they won’t release the information because:

Section 30(1)(b) provides that information is exempt if it has been held at any time for the purposes of any investigation which is conducted by the authority and in the circumstances may lead to a decision by the authority to institute criminal proceedings which the authority has the power to conduct.
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So it appears there is the potential here for the council to bring a prosecution on the basis of what they found. Obviously this isn’t confirmation that they will, but it’s a possibility.

This Aramark fiasco is just crazy. What were Merlin thinking.
 
It's not just me that made a FOI request then. I came here to post that exact response 😂

It does suggest to me there could be legal action. It makes you wonder what on earth they found, if that's the case.

Unrelated to The Smokehouse, but I have found an example where the ICO investigated why a Food Hygeine Report had been withheld under 30(1)(b). It provides insight into why it was withheld, which are presumably similar to the reasons for The Smokehouse. It is available here if you are interested: ICO FOI Decision Notice (PDF)
 
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