There are 163 local authorities already up and running with the FHRS, and many others are preparing to launch it. Discussions with local authorities over the past 18 months have revealed the reasons why some are not yet committed to the FSA’s scheme.
The measures aim to address the concerns of the local authorities that have not yet signed up to the FHRS, and encourage them to adopt the scheme voluntarily and ahead of the Olympics next year.
In addition to the FHRS, there is another similar scheme currently in operation, known as Scores on the Doors. Transparency Data publishes hygiene scores for the 125 local authorities who use the Scores on the Doors scheme.
The FSA has reached an agreement with Transparency Data to acquire the existing Scores on the Doors contracts and software and to work with the firm to encourage remaining local authorities to transfer to the FHRS.
The agreement will enable the FSA to move towards publishing ratings in a single format for thousands more businesses across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Tim Smith, chief executive of the FSA, said: “With a single scheme, consumers know that from Penzance to Preston, Belfast to Brecon, the same criteria have been used to rate premises. These latest measures bring us closer to providing readily accessible ratings for consumers and consistency for businesses, and will ultimately drive up hygiene standards.”
All local authorities in Wales are now running the FHRS. A different scheme with similar aims is being rolled out by local authorities in Scotland.
Source: FSA
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